The second song in series 'Gao, Suno Badlo' is out now, and honours the memory of slain minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti who was assassinated on March 2, 2011.

Sung by Ali Aftab Saeed, ‘Kithay Reh Gaye’ comes under the banner of the 'Gao, Suno Badlo' initiative spearheaded by platforms Mishermayl and Aawaaz.

‘Kithay Reh Gaye’ has an eerie feel to it. The video opens with a woman and two men representing different minority groups frozen in time as they try to get away from angry mobsters with batons and bricks. Wearing a green kurta in video, Ali holds a speakerphone and addresses the attackers.

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Unlike ‘Kaun Kehta Hai Bayikhtiyar Hoon Main’ which lifted spirits, ‘Kithay Reh Gaye’ is a bitter take on the various attacks on different minorities in the name of religion.

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Ali, who has previously sung the satirical yet lively ‘Aalo Anday’ and ‘Dhinak Dhinak,’ turns rueful in the single as his lyrics take a stroll down memory lane when one friend would pay for the other at the cafeteria when money would run short, and how now inquisition about religion and belief is being directed at that very friend because he follows a different faith.

Ali Aftab Saeed clad in green kurta-shalwar in a BTS shot from the video.— Photo courtesy: Gao, Suno, Badlo's Facebook page

The grave vibes of the song don't end here — rather they get stronger when mobsters brandish torches. Needless to say, the song haunts listeners after it ends on an abrupt note.

Speaking to Dawn.com about the abrupt end of 'Kithay Reh Gaye' Ali said:

“This song highlights the plight and persecution of minorities and the reason it has an abrupt ending is to create an impact on the audience. As the lyrics say, forget equal rights, they should at least be given the right to lead their lives with a sense of security."

"We need to understand the gravity of situation—the conditions are not improving, rather they are heading for the worse, and hence the end is abrupt because nothing is being done,” said Ali.

Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, had been a vocal opponent of Pakistan's controversial blasphemy law and was assassinated some time after former Governor of Punjab Salman Taseer was shot by his security guard Mumtaz Qadri over the debate regarding amendment in blasphemy laws.