Renowned qawwal Amjad Sabri, who was shot dead by unidentified armed assailants in the Liaquatabad area of Karachi on Wednesday, was more than just a phenomenal singer. He was the pride of Pakistan, a nation’s representative and a ray of light in an otherwise dark society, plagued with violence, bloodshed and a litany of crises. However, his soulful voice was hushed in a fateful incident of premeditated murder on the streets of Karachi. Having said that, Amjad Sabri will forever remain alive in our hearts, our minds and our TV sets. He was an epitome of talent, immense skill and undying passion. Shortly after the news of Amjad’s death broke, it was as if the entire country had come to a halt. Actress Humaima Malick Tweeted, “This nation is sorry. I am sorry . #AmjadSabri.” Humaima Malick later, while talking exclusively to Daily Times said, “I am in absolute shock and I doubt if I’ll ever be able to wrap my head around what happened today. Surely, Amjad Sabri was of Allah’s favourites, and he has returned to Him. May his soul rest in peace.” “I spent time with him both here in Pakistan and abroad. He was a generous, big-hearted, lively and a happy-go-lucky man. I doubt if I had ever seen him without a smile on his face. Amjad Sabri was a supremely-talented qawwal and he has been snatched away from us very soon. I believe he was yet to reach his pinnacle in his career. I’m extremely saddened,” singer Faakhir Mehmood said, while talking exclusively to Daily Times. Amjad’s driver was also critically injured as armed men fired at his car while it was passing through Liaquatabad. According to witnesses, Amjad, the son of renowned late qawwal Haji Ghulam Farid Sabri, was critically injured in the incident and was rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. Born on December 23, 1970 in Karachi, Amjad was the member of the Sabri group. The Sabri group, which was started by the late Ghulam Farid Sabri and his younger brother Haji Maqbool Ahmed Sabri, were the ones to take qawwali to the west in 1970s. Leading fashion and lifestyle magazine Sunday Times’ Managing Editor Shehrbano Taseer Tweeted, “Thank you for the music #AmjadSabri Innalillahi wa innaulehai Rajioon.” “I had known him personally for the last four years, and I’m actually at a loss for words knowing about his untimely passing. What an amazing singer and a gem of a person. I’m just shocked,” actor and TV anchor Ahsan Khan said, also while talking to Daily Times. Leading singer and drummer Farhad Humayun also spoke to Daily Times about Amjad’s ruthless assassination, “I’m having trouble finding words to describe how I feel at the targeted killing of Amjad Sabri. I want to say things I’ve never said before. There is a void in my heart and an everlasting sadness. Nobody deserves to be killed in a false, clergy made war for power. Is this the country where we want to talk about love and play music? Don’t be silly.” “It’s shocking and heart breaking. I don’t have words to express. Sad. Very sad, indeed. I hope his murderers are brought to justice and his legacy lives on. I remember meeting him at a Pakistan Super League match last, but my fondest memory of him is seeing him singing “Channo” many years ago with me on a bus ride to a cricket match that we were playing. He was a gentle soul with a powerful voice. May God bless his soul,” singer and actor Ali Zafar said, while talking to Daily Times. Hailing from a long line of legendary qawwals, Amjad inherited the art and charm of qawwali from his father Ghulam Farid Sabri – a qawwali extraordinaire and maestro himself. “If the civilian government is not credible enough to protect the life of its countrymen, then I believe that’s where the military should step in and vow to give us protection and safety. I am absolutely shocked,” singer and actor Junaid Khan commented. “Shocking and very disturbed by the news. He was not only a great qawwal but also a humble human being and to see him go like this is heartbreaking. But what is even more disturbing is how people are splattering the horrific pictures all over social media. Please stop this and have a little decency and respect for the departed and his family. Our prayers are with them,” actor and comedian Ahmad Ali Butt commented.