Pakistan refused to give Adnan Sami visa to attend mother's funeral: ‘India agreed but… I watched her last rites on a WhatsApp call'
Adnan Sami, the Pakistan-born singer and composer, became a citizen of India in 2016, which resulted in a lot of heartburn in the country of his birth. The singer — who was also honored with Padma Shri, has now revealed that Pakistan refused to give him visa in 2024 after his mother passed away and he wanted to attend her funeral.
Speaking to India TV, Adnan said that after his mother, Begum Naureen's demise, he requested both Indian and Pakistani authorities that he wants to visit the country to attend the funeral. He said that despite India granting him permission to travel, Pakistan refused.
Adding that his mother's demise came as a shock to everyone because she didn't had any health concerns, he recalled how Indian authorities immediately understood his situation. 'Maine yaha ki sarkaar se pucha main jana chahta hu toh apko koi objection to nahi. Unhone kaha, 'Zahir hai, aapki maa ka inteqal hua hai, aapko zaroor jana chahiye'. Unki taraf se koi problem nahi tha (When I asked the Indian government that I want to go, do you have any objection? They said, 'It is obvious, your mother has passed away, you must go'. There was no problem from their side),' shared the singer.
But when Adnan applied for a visa in Pakistan, his request was denied. 'Maine visa ke liye apply kiya, par unhone refuse kar diya. Maine kaha, 'Meri maa ka inteqal hua hai'. Phir bhi unhone mana kar diya. Main nahi ja saka. Maine unka poora janaza Whatsapp ke video pe dekha (I applied for a visa, but they (Pakistan government) refused. I said, 'My mother has passed away'. But they refused. I could not go. I saw her entire funeral on a WhatsApp video),' shared the singer.
Born in London, Adnan Sami is the son of Pakistani Air Force pilot and diplomat. He took Indian citizenship in 2016 and have time and again talked about how the deteriorating political situation in Pakistan made him take the life-changing decision despite his family and son residing there.
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Adnan was also asked whether he took Indian citizenship because he was earning more in India than in Pakistan. In his response, the singer shared how he was fortunate to be born in a wealthy family and also added that he actully left property worth crores in Pakistan and started from scratch in India.
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'An artist longs for an audience. An artist's nourishment is his audience. I received a lot of love in Pakistan, too, but everyone desires growth,' shared Adnan Sami.
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Adnan Sami made his Indian music debut with 'Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao' with Asha Bhosle which became an instant hit.
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