Folk singer Asad Abbas, who was in dire need of financial assistance due to his failing health, has passed away, as per an announcement on his Facebook handle. The performer, who was part of Coke Studio Season 6 (CS6), was undergoing dialysis three to four times a week and 13 to 14 times a month because of double kidney failure.
The post announcing his demise reads, "May the Almighty Allah expand his grave and give Asad Abbas eternal peace. He fought till the end."
Sharing the announcement, singer Nimra Rafiq lamented, "He fought and kept fighting until he gave up. I'm ashamed that we couldn't help him. May you rest in peace asad bhai."
Abbas appeared in CS6 opposite Fariha Parvez for the song Mahi Gal – a folk number based on raag Malhar. His track was among the most highly appreciated songs of the season, which was a first to host many international artists.
In May, renowned composer and music producer Rohail Hyatt had shared a message detailing Abbas’s condition to make a plea on his behalf: “The very talented folk singer Asad Abbas, who also appeared in season 6 of Coke Studio is in dire need of our support. To anyone who wishes to help him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. Thank you”
Later in June, actor Adnan Siddiqui took to his social media to help gather funds for Abbas's treatment. “Asad has graced our lives with his beautiful voice, capturing our hearts with his soulful performances and musical genius. Sadly, behind the curtain of his immense talent, he is today waging a personal battle that has left him in a state of extreme financial distress,” he wrote.
The Express Tribune had reached out to Abbas, who shared his ordeal while struggling to speak, “I am undergoing dialysis, mujhe doctors ne jawab dediya hai (Doctors aren’t hopeful). They say I need to be shifted to America for treatment, just like Alamgir. I am in need of financial assistance and I would urge the government to provide me that. I have no car, and a family to support. I have been suffering from this ailment for seven years and now, both my kidneys have failed. They tried to do a kidney transplant earlier but it was unsuccessful. I have also been a singer for Mekaal Hasan Band, won a Lux Style Award, a Tamgha-e-Imtiaz and I have served my country as an artist for many years.”
Abbas hailed from a family with a rich musical legacy. His grandfather, Mohammad Sadiq, and Mohammad Iqbal were pioneers of folk music in Pakistan, singing together since the inception of Radio Pakistan. Abbas’s brother, Ali Abbass, and cousin, Amanat Ali, are also accomplished folk and contemporary artists.
Abbas’s vocal abilities and body of work also garnered him a place in Mekaal Hasan’s Rivayat series. He boasts a music career spanning almost three decades and notably, emerged as a winner of the popular singing competition, Pakistan Sangeet Icon.
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