We are not affiliated with any political party: Amjad Sabri's brother

KARACHI: A brother of Amjad Sabri on Thursday denied claims that the family of Qawwals was affiliated with any particular political party.

Speaking to Hamid Mir in Geo News program 'Capital Talk', Azmat Sabri said they were Urdu-speaking citizens of Karachi living in the Liaquatabad neighbourhood and that they received love and affection from all citizens of the metropolis.

But he said that it would be incorrect to say they were affiliated with any particular political party.

He further added that as Qawwals, they go to perform wherever they are invited.

Amjad Sabri, 45, was one of South Asia's most popular singers of the 'qawwali', Sufi devotional music which dates back more than 700 years.

Amjad Sabri was the son of renowned qawwal of the 1960’s, Ghulam Farid Sabri, and the nephew of qawwali icon Maqbool Sabri who passed away in 2011.

Last week, Sabri was travelling with an associate when two gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on his car.

He was shot multiple times and pronounced dead by medics at a local hospital where he was taken after the attack.

According to sources close to the investigation, officials have recorded the statements of close relatives, friends and family members in the murder case of the renowned Qawwal.

Officials close to the investigation told Geo News on Wednesday that in their latest statement, the relatives did not mention any threats to Sabri's life, which they were reported to have hinted on in their initial statement recorded immediately after the murder.

The officials said that the financial matters and accounts of the slain Qawwal were being closely investigated, while officials said police have also sought Sabri’s financial details from concerned departments.

They further said that Sabri’s manager would be investigated upon his return from Umrah.

The officials added that the assistance of the Federal Investigation Authority (FIA) has also been sought in the murder investigation.