Junaid Jamshed laid to rest in Karachi

Renowned religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jamil led the former singer's funeral prayers

KARACHI: Singer-turned-evangelist Junaid Jamshed was laid to rest at Karachi's Jamia Darul Uloom in Korangi Industrial Area on Thursday.

His funeral prayers, led by religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel, were offered at Moin Khan Academy in the city at 2pm. "I cannot believe that Junaid is no longer with us," said Jamil.

Junaid was travelling from Chitral to Islamabad in flight PK-661 when the aircraft crashed near Abbottabad, killing all 48 people on board on December 7.

Heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed around the area for security purposes.





People gather at Moin Khan Academy ahead of funeral prayers. PHOTO: ZORAL NAIK

Junaid Jamshed's body arrives at Moin Khan Academy. AN EXPRESS NEWS SCREENGRAB

Junaid's body was identified by forensic experts through dental history and face x-ray on Monday.

Former cricketer Saeed Anwar and MQM leader Farooq Sattar, along with thousands of well-wishers gathered to pay their respects to Junaid. Meanwhile, funeral prayers for Junaid's wife, Neha, were offered in Lahore.

AN EXPRESS NEWS SCREENGRAB

Junaid's funeral prayers were also offered at Noor Khan Airbase on Wednesday evening.

Earlier, the televangelist’s brother Humayun Jamshed and mentor Maulana Tariq Jameel received the body from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad.

Zuhr prayers offered ahead of funeral prayers. PHOTO: ZORAL NAIK



According to the airline, the plane was an ATR-42 turboprop aircraft, which lost contact with the Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Islamabad’s Benazir International Airport en route from Chitral.



Born in Karachi in 1964, Jamshed shot to fame in the late 1980s as lead singer of the boy band ‘Vital Signs’, where his dashing looks and brooding vocals made him a style icon and heart-throb for a generation emerging from the rule of military dictator Ziaul Haq.

Many of his biggest fans turned to critics however, when in the early 2000s Jamshed left his career in pop to become a member of the Tableeghi Jamaaat.