In memoriam: A year gone by yet legendary Amjad Sabri lives on in our hearts

The late musician’s family, including his brother Sarwat Farid, on Sunday, visited the site where Sabri was shot dead

By
Web Desk

Updated Monday Jun 12 2017

A year has passed since famed qawwal Amjad Farid Sabri was gunned down in broad daylight on the 16th of Ramazan, with his family commemorating the departed soul by holding his first death anniversary on the Islamic date of his death.

Sabri, known for memorable qawwalis Tajdar-e-Haram and Bhar do Jholi, was shot dead by two assailants in Karachi’s Liaquatabad area.

The late musician’s family, including his brother Sarwat Farid, on Sunday, visited the site where Sabri was shot dead on June 22.

Speaking to media, Sarwat talked about how despite the facts that arrests were made earlier, his late brother’s assassins have still not been unmasked. The brother urged the authorities to proceed with naming the killers, as it has been a year since Sabri’s death.

“The Liaquatabad underpass should be named after Amjad Sabri,” Sarwat said, adding that the memory of the singer remains in the family’s hearts.

Suspect behind murder shot dead

Kamran Bhatti, a highly wanted terrorist who was allegedly involved in Sabri’s murder was killed on April 10 during an encounter with Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel in Sukkur. He was a leading member of banned group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.

Terrorist behind attacks on Chaudhry Aslam, Amjad Sabri killed in Sukkur encounter

Two accomplices of the deceased terrorists manage to flee away during the encounter, officials say

Suspects confess to killing Amjad Sabri, military personnel

The hardcore hitmen were arrested by CTD in-charge Raja Umer Khitab and were involved in nine high-profile cases






Gunmen Capri, Bobby detained

However, before that, Asim alias Capri and Ishaq alias Bobby – the two suspects in the Amjad Sabri murder case – on December 16, last year, confessed to having assassinated the famed qawwal.

Capri and Bobby were taken into custody on November 7, 2016, from Liaquatabad, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah disclosed in a news conference, adding that a large cache of weapons was also recovered from their possession.

Amjad Sabri’s killers arrested: CM Sindh

CTD arrests two suspects who are involved in nine high-profile criminal cases

Amjad Sabri was murdered by hired assassins: Police

Police arrested one of the assassins from Gulshan-e-Iqbal's block 13-D






It is noteworthy that Capri was also arrested by the then-Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief Chaudhry Aslam in July 2013 in connection with the murder case of MPA Sajid Qureshi, but was released on bail in 2015, following which he restarted criminal activity.

Earlier, police in July 2015 had reportedly detained one of the assassins involved in the assassination of Amjad Sabri from Gulshan Iqbal’s Block 13-D, making it a significant breakthrough in the murder case.

Larger-than-life

The whole of Pakistan shed tears when the soulful voice of the larger-than-life qawwal was shut down in June last year, as the news was broadcasted to a stunned audience. His funeral was attended by thousands of supporters, devotees and fans.

2016: The year the music died

The year the music died: 2016 in retrospect

Sabri, the son and nephew of renowned qawwali icons Ghulam Farid Sabri and Maqbool Sabri, respectively, was himself one of South Asia's most popular singers of qawwali – the Sufi devotional music that dates back over 700 years.

The late star’s immortal voice will continue to remind Pakistan of its rich music tradition and its survival story through the multitude of problems facing the music industry.