A show of courage through singing

Saeed Khan wants to establish a singing career to make ends meet

PESHAWAR: The HBL Pakistan Super League V has not only invigorated the masses with cricket frenzy but it has also become a life-changing event for people like Saeed Khan, a differently-abled singer who hails from Peshawar and recently rose to fame after producing a new song for the tournament.

Dedicated to the PSL, his new song “Urraann” is doing the rounds on social media these days and has garnered a lot of support for Saeed. And even though seeing the light-hearted personality unavoidably brings a smile on everyone’s face, Saeed and his family had been victims of terrorism.

“We lost our house in a bomb blast that occurred in 2008, a time when militancy was at its peak,” the wheelchair bound Saeed told The Express Tribune.

The deadly blast killed at least 12 people and injured 25 others when a suicide bomber blew himself up in the crowded Mirza Qasim Baig Imambargah in Mohalla Janghi of Kohati, Peshawar.

“We not only lost our house but our shop, situated on the lower portion of the building, was also completely destroyed because of which we also lost our family business,” he lamented. “The experience scarred all of us — and even though the security situation in Pakistan has considerably improved, thanks to the efforts of the government and the Pakistan army — we are unable to purchase a home now and have been living in a rented house.”

The 30-year-old singer, who graduated from the University of Peshawar and has previously sung songs for the Pakistan army, said that singing not only allows him to show his devotion to Pakistan but it is also a way for him to forget the trauma caused by terrorism.

“I was really inspired by the way Pakistan army fought terrorism in Pakistan and I wish I could do the same. However, it was not possible because of my disability, therefore, I showed my devotion to my country by paying a tribute to the army through my song,” he said. Speaking about his latest song which he wrote for the HBL PSL V, Saeed — who not only sung the song but also wrote and produced it — said that he has dedicated the number to Pakistani cricketers as well as the foreign ones.

“This song is also a tribute to all the foreign players who have shown immense courage by coming to Pakistan and participating in the tournament. Their arrival in Pakistan has projected a positive image of the country and have sent out a strong message to the world that we have defeated terrorism and it is now safe to visit Pakistan.”

Even though Saeed and his family have been financially struggling ever since they lost their business in the suicide blast, all of his songs are self-sponsored.

“Seeing my dedication and passion, my family and relatives have helped me in the composition and production of the songs. Producing a single song costs me up to Rs100,000,” Saeed explained.

“I earlier planned to send a request to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to play my song in the stadium during the matches and allow me to perform during the launch and finale ceremonies of the HBL PSL. However, my dream could not be materialised.”

Saeed added that one of his biggest wishes is to meet Pakistani and international cricketers in person.

“I want to continue singing for my country but I need sponsorship for future projects so that I could have a sustainable source of earning,” he said. “I am a university graduate but still jobless. I don’t want to depend on anyone, therefore, I want to establish a singing career so that I can earn something and reconstruct a home for my family.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2020.