Nadeem Sabri shares the horror and tragedy – Terrorists Gun Down Qawwals on Route to Quetta

In a horrific attack that left Pakistan’s creative world in shock, terrorists opened fire on a passenger bus traveling from Karachi to Quetta and brutally murdered three qawwals and injured many others. The troupe, including renowned performer Nadeem Sabri, was once traveling to a booked performance a journey that turned into a nightmare within minutes.

 “We Are Just Qawwals, What Was Our Fault?” – A Cry of Grief

“We had been merely qawwals, what was previously our mistake?” broke down emotionally a grief-stricken Nadeem Sabri, who survived the ambush by a miracle but lost three of his co-performers to the bullets of intolerance. “We had been merely 1/2 an hour from our location, heading to perform, to make an easy living for our families,” he went on, as tears welling in his eyes.

The group formerly went to go to Quetta for a musical performance that was previously forecasted to be a religious evening of Sufi music a centuries-old subculture established upon peace and concord. But such optimistic ride was cut short with the assistance of gunfire, panic, and bloodshed.

Dreams Shattered, Instruments Scorched, Lives Broken

The attackers made clear no mercy. Not only had lives been lost, but all of the performers’ possessions, including centuries-old instruments, had been destroyed. “Our dreams, our livelihood, the entire thing we had, turned into dust in a counted number of seconds,” Sabri reported. Instruments passed down through generations, clothes packed for performances, and tokens of love from fans—all lost.

What was once meant to be a soulful evening of track evolved into a martyrs’ tragedy of sorrow. The attack highlights the continued threats artists face in conflict zones with a history of using extremism and intolerance.

The Price of Art in War Zones

For qawwals guardians of a peaceful spiritual way of life the path is often dangerous. In recent years, musicians in Pakistan have become more and more targets, especially those who represent Sufi tradition. This sad event points to not only an emerging safety risk but also to cultural loss for Pakistan each time this voice is eliminated.

Music, and in this case qawwali, is meant to cure, to elevate the soul, and bring communities together. But those same qualities make them targets for these who live on separation and dread.

A Nation Mourns Once More

As news circulates, there has been an outpouring of sorrow that engulfed Pakistan’s creative communities. Vigils are being thoughtful in Karachi and Quetta, and other musicians are concerned justice and prolonged protection for touring artists.

Nadeem Sabri, as he wept for his friends, has promised not to let their sacrifice go to waste. “We will sing once again, stronger and louder, so that the world knows that bullets cannot silence Sufi music,” he said.

A Call for Justice and Protection

This attack has again fueled the controversy surrounding protection of inter-provincial tour and responsibility of the government in protecting cultural ambassadors. The authorities should now move swiftly to bring the culprits to justice and ensure that no artiste ever needs to worry about their survival while following a noble, peaceful profession.

In memory of the martyred qawwals, Pakistan laments no longer just their passing but also the cultural emptiness their departure has left. Let their voices ring in eternity, and let us further never forget the price they paid for peace and passion.

For continuous insurance and updates, follow Pakistan Updates.