Zahir attended Habibia High School in Kabul, where he formed a band with his friends and classmates, with Omar Sultan on guitar, Farid Zoland on congas, and Akbar Nayab on piano. Zahir played the accordion and sang. The band later became known as the amateur band of Habibia High School and performed in local concerts during celebratory occasions like Nowruz, Eid ul-Fitr, and Afghan Independence Day.