LONDON, April 9: The body of Asad Amanat Ali Khan, who died of heart attack here on Sunday evening, will be flown to Pakistan on Tuesday night. The semi-classical singer, who had come to the UK reportedly for a by-pass surgery, was rushed to Watford General Hospital when he suffered a severe heart attack at around 4pm on Sunday. He expired at the same hospital later in the evening.

His friends said Asad had come to the UK some three weeks back for a medical check-up but went back home to receive President’s Pride of Performance award on March 23.

He had returned only last week and his check-ups were being scheduled, they said.

Our Staff Reporter from Lahore adds: Asad’s family told Dawn on Monday that his body would reach Lahore on Wednesday at 8am and the funeral would be held the same day.

A large number of entertainment personalities have expressed their deep grief and shock over the death of Asad Amanat Ali.

Talking to Dawn from Karachi, prominent singer Nayyera Noor said the death of Asad was a great loss.

Singer Jawad Ahmad said Asad had played a powerful role in the promotion of classical and semi-classical music.

Folk singer Arif Lohar said the important thing about Asad was that he had kept his father’s name alive through quality singing. He was a great singer and a good human being, he said.

Lahore TV station general manager Farrukh Bashir and singer Ibrarul Haq have also expressed their shock and grief over Asad’s death.

Nayab, Hamid Ali Khan’s son, told Dawn that Asad had been very loving to children of Hamid Ali Khan and would always ask them to work hard on music.

APP adds from Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf has expressed grief over the death of Asad Amanat Ali Khan.