The murder of one of Pakistan's most famous singers has triggered an outpouring of grief in the country.
On Wednesday afternoon, Amjad Sabri’s vehicle was shot at in the southern city of Karachi by two men on motorcycles in what police called a “targeted attack”. His brother, who was also in the vehicle, was wounded.
The Islamist extremist TTP group, who are a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, have claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming they targeted the 45-year-old because he was a “blasphemer”.
Sabri is one of the country’s best-known singers and sings Qawwali music which is based in Sufism, a form of mystical Islam. Sufi shrines and followers have been targeted by Islamic extremists in recent years. A 2011 suicide bomb attack at a shrine in Punjab killed 41 people.
The singer’s death has prompted thousands of tributes and public outcry in Pakistan. Some Karachi residents and fans, including some well-known sportsmen, actors and fellow singers, gathered outside his home in the city, reports the BBC.
There have also been demonstrations in the capital city of Islamabad, where protesters lit oil lamps and held up images of Sabri to mark his death.
His funeral, which is taking place on Thursday, has already attracted mass crowds and is being closely guarded by a security operation, according to Al Jazeera.
Many paid tribute to Sabri on social media, including Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the daughter of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, who said she had burst into tears hearing his music again.
The former cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan also paid tribute to Sabri and criticised the government.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned Sabri’s killing and ordered an investigation.
Sabri is survived by his wife and five children.
Additional reporting by agencies.
