Top News

Across Pakistan, fans, followers, and admirers are observing the ninth death anniversary of legendary singer-turned-Naat Khawan Junaid Jamshed on Sunday.

Junaid Jamshed, along with his wife and 45 other passengers, tragically lost his life in a plane crash near Havelian on December 7, 2016, leaving the entire nation in mourning.

Before becoming a household name, Junaid completed his mechanical engineering degree in 1990 and briefly worked with the Pakistan Air Force as a civilian contractor, followed by a short career in aeronautical engineering.

His life changed when he formed the iconic pop band Vital Signs, where he served as the lead vocalist. The group rose to extraordinary fame in the 1990s, producing evergreen hits such as Aitebaar, Goray Rang Ka Zamana, Sanwali Saloni, and the patriotic anthem Dil Dil Pakistan.

In a global poll featuring entries from 155 countries, “Dil Dil Pakistan” secured the third position among the world’s most loved songs, cementing Junaid Jamshed’s status as an international icon.

At the peak of his success, Junaid made a life-altering decision in 2004 to step away from music and devote himself to religious work — a transformation that further increased the public’s respect for him.

Earlier, Saifullah Junaid, son of the late renowned singer-turned-preacher Junaid Jamshed, recently shared an emotional account of his father’s final days, revealing that Junaid had started praying for martyrdom months before the tragic plane crash that took his life. Speaking on the Geo Podcast, Saifullah recalled his father’s deep faith and his consistent prayers leading up to the accident.

Saifullah explained that his father began expressing his desire for martyrdom about six to eight months before the crash. He remembered his father telling his mother not to be upset, but that he had been praying to Allah for martyrdom. “It was clear that my father’s martyrdom was the result of his own prayers,” Saifullah said. “He had been asking Allah for this, and it felt as if his prayer was answered.”

Junaid Jamshed’s death came unexpectedly, as he was not suffering from any illness at the time. Saifullah recalled the shock he and his family experienced when they received the news. “We couldn’t believe it at first. My mind still holds onto the image of my father’s smiling face,” he said.

We welcome your contributions! Submit your blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, news story pitches, and news features to opinion@minutemirror.com.pk and minutemirrormail@gmail.com