Legendary Pakistani Qawwal Amjad Sabri shot dead in Karachi

Lahore: Legendary Pakistani Qawwal Amjad Sabri shot dead in Karachi Wednesday afternoon near his residence in Karachi. Officials said two gunmen shot at the windscreen of Sabri’s car as it drove off a bridge in the congested Liaquatabad area of the city, and a relative, Saleem Sabri, travelling with him was also injured.

Amjad Sabri, 45, and an associate were travelling in a car in Liaquatabad 10 area, when unidentified gunmen fired at their vehicle, critically injuring him. The two were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed hospital immediately, where Sabri succumbed to his injuries.

Additional Inspector General Mushtaq Mehar told that two men riding a motorcycle fired shots at the car, terming the incident as “targeted killing.” He said the motive of the killing is unknown as of now.

DIG West said Sabri was heading to Hasan Square in his vehicle when gunmen attacked him. The assailants fired five shots, while one that hit the head proved fatal. He said the 30-bore pistol was used in the killing. He said that CCTV footage will be used to identify the assassins.

“We have cordoned off the area and will arrest the culprits using all our resources,” added the DIG.

The unidentified gunmen atop two motorcycles opened fire at his car while he was heading for the studio of a private television channel to take part in the Iftari transmission.

Police officials recovered five 30-bore casings from the scene of the attack, which have been sent for forensics. Both front side windows were shattered and three bullet holes could be seen on the front screen.

Additional police surgeon Dr Rohina Hasan confirmed Sabri’s demise. He was shot thrice – twice in the head and once in the leg – police sources said.

Senior Director Health Services Abbasi Shaheed Hospital also confirmed that Sabri was declared dead on arrival.

Fakhre Alam, Chairman of Sindh Censor Board, has claimed in a tweet that Sabri had earlier submitted an application for security, but the home department did not act on it.

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.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah dismissed Station House Officer (SHO) of the area where the attack took place. He also contacted Sindh Rangers Director General (DG) Major General Bilal Akbar after the incident and directed that the matter be investigated.

Amjad Sabri was born on December 23, 1976. He was the son of renowned Qawwal Ghulam Fareed Sabri and nephew of Maqbool Sabri who formed the legendary duo of the infamous Sabri Brothers who revolutionised classical music and Qawwali in Pakistan and around the world. He started to learn to sing qawwali at the age of 9.

 

A large number of mourners including his friends, family members and even his number of fans have gathered outside his house to express solidarity and pay their tributes to the bereaved soul of Sabri.

His funerals prayers will be held tomorrow at a mosque near his residence in Liaquatabad after Zuhr prayers. He will be buried in Paposh Nagar graveyard besides his father. All arrangements being finalised for the funeral.