Religious scholar and prominent Na’at Khwan, Junaid Jamshed, was laid to rest at Darul Uloom Korangi graveyard on Thursday afternoon.

Thousands of people from every walk of life including politicians, showbiz celebrities and former cricketers attended his funeral prayers at AKD Ground. His funeral prayers, led by religious scholar Maulana Tariq Jameel, were offered at Moin Khan Academy in the city at 2pm. “I cannot believe that Junaid is no longer with us,” said Jameel.

Junaid was travelling from Chitral to Islamabad in flight PK-661 when the aircraft crashed near Abbottabad, killing all 48 people onboard on December 7.

Heavy contingent of police and Rangers were deployed around the area for security purposes. Junaid’s body was identified by forensic experts through dental history and face x-ray on Monday.

Former cricketer Saeed Anwar and MQM leader Farooq Sattar, along with thousands of well-wishers gathered to pay their respects to Junaid. Meanwhile, funeral prayers for Junaid’s wife, Neha, were offered in Lahore.

Earlier, the coffin wrapped in the national flag was brought from PNS Shifa Hospital for funeral prayers. The body was then taken to Darul Uloom Korangi graveyard for the burial.

Earlier, the televangelist’s brother Humayun Jamshed and mentor Maulana Tariq Jameel received the body from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Islamabad.

Born in Karachi in 1964, Jamshed shot to fame in the late 1980s as lead singer of the music band ‘Vital Signs’, where his dashing looks and brooding vocals made him a style icon and heart-throb for a generation emerging from the rule of military dictator Ziaul Haq.

Meanwhile, the funeral prayers for Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) pilot Ali Akram, one of the 48 victims of the deadly PK-661 crash, were offered in Rawalpindi on Thursday.

The prayers were held at Army Ground, Rawalpindi, which were also attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Former Pakistan skipper Saqlain Mushtaq and former wicket-keeper Rashid Lateef were also present at the funeral.

Later, the army chief condoled with the family of the late pilot and extended his sympathies to them.