KARACHI: Highly praised qawwali maestro and Sufi singer, Amjad Sabri has been laid to rest beside his father, Ghulam Farid Sabri, in Paposh Nagar graveyard in the city.

A huge crowd of fans, supporters, friends and family members gathered from across the city to attend his final funeral proceedings earlier in the day today.

Pakistan is in mourning after losing a name like Amjad Sabri, in an assassination attempt by unidentified assailants on Wednesday in Liaquatabad area.

Many crowded to touch the ambulance, a gesture of reverence for the deceased. Shops and businesses in the Liaquatabad and Nazimbad areas shut down for the day.

Thousands gather to attend singer’s last rites

Mohammad Farooq Khan, a 36-year-old who contracted polio as a child, said he had walked 12 kilometres from the city’s north on his crutches to attend the singer’s last rites, reported the AFP.

“Allah has brought to here to participate in the funeral of that great man,” he said.

Another mourner Shaheen Iqbal said she had asked Sabri for help just days earlier. “He gave me rations for Ramazan and some money. He also promised to help me get a small apartment,” she said, tearfully.

Some observers have said that Sabri may have been assassinated because he was a high-profile Sufi, a mystic Islamic order that believes in living saints, worships through music, and is viewed as heretical by some hardline groups including the Taliban.

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Must read: Amjad Farid Sabri – A Profile

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Speaking to media yesterday (June 22), 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. The CCTV footage will be used to identify the assassins, said the official.

An eyewitness account

According to eyewitnesses, there were two men on a motorcycle followed him from his home as he was heading for the Ramazan transmission of a private television channel.

Sabri, 40, was immediately taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to SHO Sharifabad, armed motorcyclists targeted a car bearing registration number BEE-797 near Liaquatabad no.10.

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

Amjad Sabri was the son of Ghulam Farid Sabri and nephew of Maqbool Sabri who formed the legendary duo of the famous Sabri Brothers who revolutionised classical music and Qawwali in Pakistan and around the world.

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Read more: Amjad Sabri’s brother appeals Raheel Sharif to arrest killers 

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Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has called DG Rangers and asked details about the killing on Sabri. He has been informed that the killing seems to be an act of terrorism. The Rangers have investigated a nearby building which it is believed that the killers had sought refuge before the killing. They have also detained several suspects from the area.

Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has taken notice of the incident and suspended the SHO Sharifabad. He was earlier briefed by IG Sindh AD Khawaja.

MQM to observe three-day mourning

The MQM has announced three days of mourning over the killing of Sabri and has suspended all political activities and events. MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that terrorists want to create an atmosphere of fear and mistrust among the people of Karachi.

He said that this left a mark of the ongoing operation which has claimed to be a success by the government. He said that they have repeatedly pointed out that Karachi has been the hub of extremists who can attack whenever they wanted.

Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto has expressed deep sorrow and condemnation over the killing of Amjad Sabri. He said this was a huge challenge for the writ of the state and the government over law and order situation.

Bilawal said that kidnapping of the son of Chief Justice SHC and the killing of Sabri was a conspiracy as they were specifically targeted in the incident by terrorists and their conspirators. He expressed solidarity with the family of Sabri and said that the government will make all efforts for the arrest of his assassins. He hoped that the police and other law enforcement agencies will act to expose the killers of Sabri.

Death threats and security concerns

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Ismail, talking to ARY News, questioned where are the government authorities, Rangers and police. Sabri was such a sweet and friendly person. “His killers should be brought to justice.”

Ismail asked, “where are all they [Rangers, police and government] sleeping.” He claimed that Amjad Sabri recently told him that he had written a letter to law enforcement agencies seeking security. Ismail said Sabri had told about security issues during a qawwali gathering at his place.

In May 2014, the Islamabad High Court had issued a notice in a blasphemy case to a private channel for the playing of a qawwali during a morning show. The TV channel show had aired a mock wedding with a traditional qawwali sung by Amjad Sabri related to religious figures.

While arguably Karachi murder rates have dropped sharply and many local businesses welcome the Rangers operation, allegations of brutal and illegal methods reinforce the impression of a force acting with impunity.

The latest incident of Sabri’s killing could again raise effectiveness of the law enforcers in Karachi.

Amjad Sabri’s appearance on ARY morning show in April

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CONDEMNATIONS

Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned terrorist attack in which famous Qawwal Amjad Sabri lost his life.

— PML(N) (@pmln_org) June 22, 2016

The scream of gun has silenced the beautiful voice of #AmjadSabri May Allah bless him in Jannat : Admin

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanTPT) June 22, 2016

When he only preached for love + peace… #AmjadSabri

— Bakhtawar B-Zardari (@BakhtawarBZ) June 22, 2016

I express my deep sense of grief & sorrow over the assassination of Amjad Sabri (Qawwal). #AmjadSabri

— Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri (@TahirulQadri) June 22, 2016

SHOCKED TO HEAR THE KILLING OF MY DEAREST BROTHER AND FRIEND AMJAD SABRI 😔😢 May اللہ Rest His Soul In Peace امین pic.twitter.com/uYueIUigoP

— Faisal Iqbal☄ (@FaisalIqbalCric) June 22, 2016

So sad. What is this world coming to? RT @kamilashamsie: Amjad Sabri singing Bhar Do Jholi. Murdered today

— Tapu Javeri (@tapujaveri) June 22, 2016

We played cricket together last Friday,he was always smiling a kind and gentle soul. I can’t believe Amjad Sabri has been taken away from us

— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) June 22, 2016

2day #Amjad Sabri is murdered by terrorists,yesterday son of CJ SHC was kidnapped,mocks d claim of improved law& order claim by LEAs & CM

— Mohammad Anwar (@MAnwarMQM) June 22, 2016

RIP Amjad Sabri. Assassinated. What a mess Karachi is.

— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) June 22, 2016

Amjad sabri (qawwal) died in an attack….in shock…

— Kashif Abbasi (@Kashifabbasiary) June 22, 2016

Amjad Sabri had submitted an application for protection as per his family but Home department did NOTHING…Shameful & disgusting

— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) June 22, 2016

I have no words, broken & just lost my dearest brother #AmjadSabri
May you RIP Aameen. Those who have killed him will face same from Allah

— Wasay Jalil (@WasayJalil) June 22, 2016

SHATTERED, hating this News. Lost a loving & caring friend.. Pakistan Lost 1 of its finest talent… Amjad Sabri..

— Faisal Subzwari (@faisalsubzwari) June 22, 2016

If Pakistan is to survive, we need a complete overhaul very very very soon. #RIPAmjadSabri

— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) June 22, 2016

The brutal murder of Amjad Sabri is disturbing.Please refrain from posting videos online.My thoughts & prayers are with his family

— Reham Khan (@RehamKhan1) June 22, 2016

No words. This is extremely sad, disturbing and unacceptable specially since he had submitted an application for his protection! #AmjadSabri

— Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) June 22, 2016

Just heard that legendary Qawal Amjad Sabri has passed away in target killing. Just can’t believe it.

— Shehzad Roy (@ShehzadRoy) June 22, 2016

Safeguarding the life & property of every citizen is the biggest responsibility of a nation’s leadership. #AmjadSabri senselessly martyred

— salman ahmad (@sufisal) June 22, 2016

I am deeply grieved to learn about the martyrdom of #AmjadSabri . He was very lively person. He shall be remembered for the decades to come

— Senator Faisal Abidi (@SenFaisalAbidi) June 22, 2016

Chairman PSP Mustafa Kamal expresses sorrow and grief on the brutal assassination of #AmjadSabri in #Karachi today. @KamalPSP @PSPPakistan

— Pak Sarzameen Party (@PSPPakistan) June 22, 2016

Chairman PSP Mustafa Kamal strongly condemns the brutal murder of #AmjadSabri and demands for immediate arrest of killers. @KamalPSP

— Pak Sarzameen Party (@PSPPakistan) June 22, 2016