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LAHORE: Music maestro Shafqat Amanat Ali, in an exclusive interview with Pakistan Today, opens up about his incredible weight loss transformation and the driving forces behind it. The renowned Pakistani singer and composer, celebrated for his soulful voice, reveals how he shed pounds, adopted a healthier lifestyle, and broke free from comfort zones. Shafqat shares the challenges he faced, his disciplined routine, and how his physical transformation has not only boosted his confidence but also enhanced his performances. Q: You’ve recently amazed fans with your remarkable weight loss. What motivated this transformation, and what was the biggest challenge you faced along the way? Shafqat: The first and most important motivation was that I want to age gracefully and as a fit person. That was the biggest motivation. Second, I had been struggling with dressing up for shows, other events, and family events. It was a lot of struggle because I had to wear specially tailored clothes and choose fitting colors. That was a pain. Now, when I can pull any t-shirt over the one I’m wearing, the size helps. There wasn’t any challenge as such, except for the weather. Because Pakistan is mostly a hot country, and people like sitting in an AC room. People don’t want to get out of their comfort zone. I used to think the same—that I wanted to remain in my comfort zone in an AC room. But once I got on track, sweat it out, and started losing inches, that became another motivation for me to get out of my comfort zone. So, being in the comfort zone was the only challenge. Q: Can you share what your daily routine looks like now — especially in terms of fitness, food, and work? Shafqat: My day—I’m not a white-collar, job-related person, so my mornings and evenings are different. Whenever I wake up, I have my breakfast, which consists of a smoothie and an egg-white omelette, with either barley roti or Makai ki roti. And that’s it. After a couple of hours, or three, or four hours, depending on when I wake up, I have my first meal of the day. Then, after a few more hours, I go to the park and do between 15 to 16 thousand steps—in one go. After that, I have a bowl full of that. Then, I have a cup of coffee. And that’s it. If I feel hungry later, because I stay awake for long periods (since my work is all related to nighttime studios), I go for roasted channa (chickpeas). I don’t particularly like channa, but I have a fistful of it. After that, I have a glass of water. And that’s that. Then, I sleep. And my day is over. Q: As a performer who’s constantly in the public eye, how important do you think it is for a singer to maintain his looks and overall appearance? Shafqat: I guess one of my rules, and that’s what my elders also used to vouch for, would be that you should look presentable on stage. Of course, your art is the first thing, and that should be more than enough. But times have changed, and now it’s important to look better. So, you need to be fit, and you need to look good on stage as well. I understand that people would say that your art should be good, and I agree with that. But being fit and being presentable is also crucial. Q: Your son is now stepping into the world of music. How do you see his musical journey shaping up, and what kind of guidance do you give him as both a father and an artist? Shafqat: Yes, MashaAllah, he has stepped into music, and he has released a few videos. I am just guiding him through whatever parts I think are good enough to share from my experiences. The rest, I am letting him do whatever he wants to do, whatever he wants to create, whatever he thinks is best for him. Of course, I am keeping an eye on him at the same time. But for now, I am not trying to explain his creativity or where he thinks he should be. Simply, I am just guiding him through what he thinks is best for him. But, of course, under guidance and supervision. Q. Can you share a bit about your upcoming project—what can fans expect? Shafqat: There are a few upcoming projects in the pipeline. We have shot a few videos, and we are planning some more. I won’t be able to share the names or titles, because that’s not something to be revealed beforehand or before it’s released. But those projects will be shown when they’re ready. Shafqat Amanat Ali’s dramatic weight loss is more than just a physical change—it’s a testament to his commitment to self-discipline, growth, and longevity. His transformation has not only revitalized his personal health but has also breathed new energy into his artistic work. As he continues to inspire fans through his music and story, Shafqat’s journey proves that real change is possible with dedication and perseverance. This is an exclusive interview taken by Manal Jaffery – Pakistan Today
