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.
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 the most important motivation was that I want to age gracefully, as a fit person.
Adding to that, I had been struggling with dressing up for shows and other events. It was a lot of struggle because I had to wear specially tailored clothes and choose specific colors. Now, I can comfortably carry any outfit that i want to.
As far as challenges are concerned, there wasn’t any challenge as such, except for the weather. Because Pakistan is mostly a hot country, and people like sitting in AC rooms. People don’t want to get out of their comfort zones. I used to think the same—that I wanted to remain in my comfort zone, sitting comfortably in an AC room which impacted my lifestyle.
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 that I faced.
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 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.
After a couple of hours, I go to the park and take between 15 to 16 thousand steps—in one go.  After that, I have a bowl full of seasoned fruits, followed by 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 night-time studios), I go for roasted chickpeas and a glass of water..and that’s how my day ends.
Q: Â 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 the things that i believe in, and that’s what my elders also advised is that you should always 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 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 hinder his creativity by criticizing his music or liking it. I am just simply guiding him through what he thinks is best for him at the moment.
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.
Shafqat Amanat Ali’s dramatic weight loss is more than just a physical change—it’s a testament to his commitment to self-discipline. 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, Shafqat’s journey proves that real change is possible with dedication and perseverance.
