Ghazala Javed, popular Pakistani singer, shot dead in Peshawar

Ghazala Javed and her father were killed when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on them late on Monday

Famous Pakistani singer Ghazala Javed has been shot dead in the north-western city of Peshawar.

Ghazala Javed and her father were killed when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on them late on Monday, police say.

Police say the murders may be linked to a family dispute.

Ghazala Javed, who sang in her native Pashto, was from Pakistan’s Swat valley, which she fled three years ago during a military offensive against Taliban militants in the region.

Ghazala Javed and her father were killed when gunmen on a motorcycle opened fire on them late on Monday

Singers and dancers were particularly targeted by insurgents when they overran the area in 2007.

Ghazala Javed at one point was also forced to stop singing because of threats.

The singer, who was in her twenties, later married a businessman but they are thought to have divorced.

Correspondents say her music fused eastern and western traditions.

Tributes from fans across Afghanistan and Pakistan have been pouring into social media sites.

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Sonia Pantiss

Sonia is the heart and the artist of the team. She loves art and all that it implies. As Sonia says, good music, a well directed movie, or attending a music or film festival melts people’s heart and make them better. She is great at painting and photography. Working on scrapbooks is her favorite activity.