Renowned lyricist Shakeel Sohail passes away

Many artists have paid their respects to the deceased writer

KARACHI: Renowned lyricist Shakeel Sohail passed away last night after reportedly going through a heart attack. Sohail was just 55 upon his passing.

Prominent figures have since then taken to social media to pay their respects.

Singer and producer Shiraz Uppal who has had a longstanding working relationship with Sohail, expressed his remorse in a Facebook post over the tragic passing. "Feels like I am left alone once more. Shakeel Sohail has passed away due to a cardiac arrest without any underlying symptoms," Uppal said.



The Tu Kuja Man Kuja singer went on to add how Sohail was a strong support system for him throughout. "My best friend, brother, the best lyricist, best human I have ever come across. Known him since the past 25 years... Started my music career with him, he was there with me each and every step of the way," he said.

"Feels like a part of me has just vanished into thin air. All I can ask you guys is to take out a minute and pray for the departed soul."

Singer, cultural critic and activist Ali Aftab also took out time to express his thoughts on Sohail;s tragic passing.

"Not only was Shakeel Sohail the best lyricist of Pakistan in the present era he is also in the all time top lyricists of the country at least in my books," Aftab told The Express Tribune.

According to Aftab, unlike most lyricists today Sohail had a deep sensibility when it came to film music. "In the old era most indeed had that sensibility. Primarily due to the fact that films were being produced in high volume. Such is not the case today. Sohail however was the only few to understand how film music should be approached," he said.

Aftab went on to talk about how Shakeel was fully committed to his craft, something which has become a rarity. "At times he used to read whole books just to write one song. He also was very prudent on how words actually sounded. Shakeel was very careful of a word's impact on the melody of the song."

"He always worked towards improving the quality of his work even after a client had issued the approval. A person with an attention to detail and sense of altruism like his was never in the industry and I don't think will ever come in future," Aftab concluded.

Meanwhile, Atif Aslam who has also enjoyed a working relationship with Sohail tweeted a song that was sung by himself and penned by the Sohail.

Singer: Atif Aslam
Composed & Produced by: Shiraz Uppal
Lyrics: Shakeel Sohail

We have been blessed with a gorgeous country, #PakistansNo1Network #Zong4G covers us with more 4G towers than any other. Let's celebrate hope N PASSION. https://t.co/kE0VbWuIa9

— Atif Aslam (@itsaadee) June 11, 2020

Superstar director Ehteshamuddin and lead Mahira Khan also shared a prayer for the departed lyricist. Many songs in the film were written by Sohail.

Ameen.. ameeen..💔 https://t.co/gSlBXBfiVx

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 11, 2020

Sohail started his career in the mid-90s and since then has written for a variety of artists including Atif, Uppal, Ali Sher among many others. Through the course of his career, he has done countless OSTs for film and TV both.

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