KARACHI: Famous Qawal Amjad Sabri, 45, has passed away after a target killing attack in Liaqutabad, Karachi, Waqt News reported. He was targeted in his car and was shot six times, Police Surgeon told media. He was 40 years old.
According to initial reports he and his friend was the target of the gun-fire. His friend died on the spot while Amjad Sabri was rushed to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital. Additional police surgeon Dr Rohina Hasan confirmed Sabri’s demise. He was shot thrice – twice in the head and once on the ear – police sources said.
“We have cordoned off the area and will arrest the culprits using all our resources,” said the DIG West.
Police officials recovered five 30-bore casings from the scene of the attack, which have been sent for forensics.
Ghulam Ahmed, an eye witness told a private channel he saw two motorcycle riding men fire shots at one side of the car. “Then they turned and fired four shots on the other side of the car.”
‘Tajdar-E-Haram’, ‘Mera Koyi Nahi Teray Siwa’ and ‘Bhar Do Jholi’ are the qawalli trademarks of the Sabri family. He had a brand of his style of reciting qawwali with devotional mysticism, spiritual rejuvenation and enthralling poetry. He adapted the Sabri style to the modern version.
Grieved loved ones and fans have reacted by praying for Amjad Sabri. Artists like Rafaqat Ali Khan expressed his shock on the loss of talented Pakistani artist. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan stated that this attack is a cruel attempt to sabotage the peace efforts. He further said that Art cannot be destroyed or buried. He termed it as as huge national loss. Rahat stressed that the person who had recited the kalaam of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti and Amir Khusro, had always spread the message of love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood.
Amjad Sabri was the nephew of qawwali icon Maqbool Sabri who passed away in 2011. The duo of Maqbool Sabri and his brother, Ghulam Farid Sabri, formed a qawalli group in mid-50’s. Behroze Subzwari, Adnan Siddiqui, Tina Sani, Arif Lohar, Fakhar E Alam and Javed Sheikh responded with utmost grief. These actors stated that the Pakistani people are a resilient nation who have been tested again with the loss of the pride of Pakistan. The person who preached love, peace, tolerance and brotherhood will be remembered. Jawad Ahmed suggested that until Justice is provided to the weak, then positive change will remain a distant goal.
Anwar Maqsood refered to Amjad Sabri as someone close as his own child.
MQM announces 3-day mourning over murder of Amjad Sabri. Dr Farooq Sattar, MQM leader, stated that Amjad Sabri had informed that he was receiving death threats in the previous days.
Sabri was heading for the studio of a private television channel along with his brother Saleem Sabri to take part in the Iftari transmission when he was attacked. His brother went unhurt in the attack.
They were equally well-versed in compositions made in the Persian language and sang Nami Danam Che Manzil Bood with equal ease and facility. The brothers’ rendition of Hazrat Amir Khusrau’s kalam was one of their marked areas of excellence.
Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif took notice of the incident and demanded report of the incident from Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan condemned the incident and stated that the attack on Sabri was a question mark over the measures taken by the provincial government to ensure peace in the province. Khan demanded that the culprits be apprehended as soon as possible and be awarded with befitting punishment.
Interior Minister Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan also condemned the attack and condoled Sabri’s death with his family members.
Former president and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari expressed his grief over the terrible incident. Bilawal Bhutto also showed his distress upon the incident.
While conversing the media, Sindh Minister for Food, Mines and Minerals Manzoor Wassan stated that Sabri s family had given a number of sacrifices, adding that he was informed of the attack on Sabri while he was in Sindh Assembly. Wasan said that certain forces want to destablise Karachi. He also warned that unrest in the city can escalate during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramazan.
Shops located near Sabri’s residence shut down after the incident. A large number of mourners gathered near the qawwal s house after the incident.
Sindh Home Minister Suhail Anwar Sial took notice of Sabri s killing and demanded report of the incident from Sindh Inspector General Police (IGP) A.D. Khawaja and Additional IG. Sial also called a high-level meeting over the sad happening.
His funeral will take place on Thursday after Zuhr Prayer, and will be burried in Paposh-nagar graveyard.
One of most revered qawalli of the Sabri qawwals: Mera Piya Ghar Aaya. http://nation.com.pk/national/22-Jun-2016/firing-on-amjad-sabri-s-car-in-liaquatabad-karachi
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