He is known for composing the song, "Dekha Na Tha Kabhi Hum Ne Ye Samaan" (vocalized by Alamgir and Nahid Akhtar) for the 1978 release film, Bobby And Julie.

Shahabuddin started his career as a music director with Bengali movies from Dhaka, East Pakistan.

His first breakthrough was film "Chand Aur Chandini" (1968) and all the songs composed by Shahabuddin for the move became very popular; "Ay Jahan, Ab Hay Manzil Kahan, Chhut Geya Hamsafar, Kho Geya Karwan (Singer: Ahmad Rushdi), " Jan-e-Tamana, Khat Hay Tumhara, Pyar Bhara Afsana (Singer: Ahmad Rushdi), "Teri Yaad Aa Geyi, Gham Khushi Mein Dhall Geye" (Singer: Masood Rana), to mention a few.

The film was a flop show, but its songs became super hit, especially the song, "Dekha Na Tha Kabhi Hum Ne Ye Samaan" (Singers: Alamgir and Naheed Akhtar) became an iconic Pakistani music history.

For many years, he composed background music for Tariq Aziz's popular TV show "Neelam Ghar".