Upon returning to Pakistan, Arieb gained recognition for his evocative interpretations of Sufi poetry, reimagining folk traditions for modern audiences. His collaborations include multiple seasons of Coke Studio, where his performances resonated widely. He has performed at numerous festivals across Pakistan and internationally, often accompanied by his troupe of eclectic musicians, bringing diverse musical traditions to global stages.

A driving force in Pakistan’s cultural landscape, he co-founded Islamabad’s Music Mela Festival and later launched the Art Langar Festival to promote cultural preservation and creative expression. From 2018 to 2020, Arieb served as Director of Karachi’s iconic cultural space T2F (The Second Floor), where he revitalized programming and curated the Creative Karachi Festival 2019. Beyond music, he co-produced the award-winning documentary Indus Blues, which spotlights Pakistan’s endangered musical heritage, and appeared in the internationally acclaimed film Without Shepherds, also serving as its narrator. In 2023, he wrote, produced, and starred in The River’s Daughter, a theatrical production that received critical acclaim for its poignant storytelling.