ISLAMABAD: Retired Colonel Qasim Shah has spoken about his close friendship with renowned nasheed singer and former musician Junaid Jamshed, recalling their frequent conversations, meetings and a business plan they had once hoped to pursue together.
Qasim Shah became widely known for his appearances in popular Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) television dramas, particularly Sunehrey Din and Alpha Bravo Charlie. He played a memorable role in the latter series and became a familiar face to Pakistani television audiences.
At the time he appeared in Sunehrey Din, Qasim Shah was a cadet at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA). He later continued his military career and served in the Pakistan Army for more than 25 years before retiring from service at the rank of colonel several years ago.
In a recent television programme, Qasim Shah discussed his personal relationship with Junaid Jamshed and spoke emotionally about the singer’s death in a plane crash.
Recalling the news of Junaid Jamshed’s death, Qasim Shah said the tragedy was extremely painful for him. He explained that when he first heard that Junaid had died, he found it difficult to believe and kept wondering how such a tragedy could have happened.
Qasim Shah said that he and Junaid Jamshed had remained in regular contact and shared a very close friendship. The two friends would speak to each other over the phone and also meet frequently.
According to Qasim Shah, Junaid himself would often call him and visit him to meet. Their relationship, he said, was not merely a casual acquaintance but a deep friendship that continued over the years.
The retired army officer also revealed that he and Junaid Jamshed had discussed launching a brand together. They had planned to turn the idea into a business venture, but unfortunately, the project could not be brought to fruition.
Qasim Shah said that many people were aware of his friendship with Junaid Jamshed. As a result, when the singer died, several people came to visit him and offer their condolences.
Junaid Jamshed, who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the popular Pakistani band Vital Signs, later became widely recognized for his religious work, naats and Islamic teachings. His transition from music to religious activities made him one of the country’s most recognizable public figures.
Junaid died on December 7, 2016, when a Pakistan International Airlines aircraft crashed near Abbottabad while travelling from Chitral to Islamabad. The crash claimed the lives of everyone on board.
For Qasim Shah, the loss was particularly difficult because of the personal bond he shared with Junaid. His recollections offer an insight into a lesser-known side of the singer’s personal relationships away from his public career.
Speaking about their friendship years after the tragedy, Qasim Shah remembered Junaid as someone who maintained regular contact with him and made an effort to meet personally. Their conversations and plans for a joint business venture remained among the memories Qasim Shah associated with their friendship.
He said the circumstances surrounding Junaid’s death had initially been difficult for him to accept, emphasizing the shock and grief he experienced when he learned that his close friend had died.
Qasim Shah’s account also highlights the breadth of Junaid Jamshed’s relationships across Pakistani society. From his early career in popular music to his later religious activities, Junaid maintained friendships and connections with people from a wide range of professional backgrounds.
The memories shared by Qasim Shah demonstrate that beyond Junaid Jamshed’s public identity as a singer, nasheed artist and religious figure, he was also remembered by close friends for his personal interactions and regular efforts to stay connected.
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