Latest news with #PakistaniAirForce
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Adnan Sami Says Pakistan Denied Visa For Mother's Funeral: ‘Watched Janaza On WhatsApp'
Adnan Sami reveals Pakistan denied him a visa to attend his mother's funeral in 2024, forcing him to watch her last rites via WhatsApp despite India's approval. Adnan Sami, the acclaimed singer-composer who gave up his Pakistani citizenship to become an Indian national in 2016, has revealed a deeply personal and painful chapter in his life. In a recent interview with India TV, the Padma Shri awardee shared that the Pakistani government denied him a visa to attend his mother's funeral in 2024. Sami's mother, Begum Naureen, passed away unexpectedly despite having no prior health concerns. Upon hearing the news, Adnan immediately reached out to both Indian and Pakistani authorities to request permission to travel and attend her last rites. 'The Indian government was very understanding," he recalled. '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." (I asked the Indian government if they had any objections to me going, and they said, 'Of course, your mother has passed away—you must go.' There was no problem on their end.) However, when Adnan applied for a visa from Pakistan, he was met with silence and ultimately rejection. '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," he shared, his voice heavy with emotion. (I applied for a visa, but they refused—even after I told them my mother had passed away. I couldn't go. I watched her entire funeral on a WhatsApp video.) Born in London to a Pakistani Air Force pilot and diplomat, Adnan Sami made the life-altering decision to take Indian citizenship in 2016. Over the years, he has often spoken about how the volatile political climate in Pakistan contributed to his choice, despite his deep personal ties—his family and son—remaining there. Addressing speculation that financial reasons were behind his shift to India, Sami dismissed the notion. 'I was fortunate to be born into a wealthy family. I left behind property worth crores in Pakistan and started from scratch in India," he said. '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." Adnan Sami first captured the hearts of Indian audiences with his soulful collaboration Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao alongside Asha Bhosle, a song that remains iconic to this day. His musical journey may span borders, but his story is a deeply human one—marked by sacrifice, resilience, and a search for belonging. First Published:
Indian Express
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
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. A post shared by ADNAN SAMI (@adnansamiworld) 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. A post shared by ADNAN SAMI (@adnansamiworld) '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. A post shared by ADNAN SAMI (@adnansamiworld) Adnan Sami made his Indian music debut with 'Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao' with Asha Bhosle which became an instant hit.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
After facing defeat against India, Pakistan taking help from China to..., US report reveals dangerous truth
(File) Pakistan nuclear weapons: After being pummeled into submission by India in the recently-paused Operation Sindoor, Pakistan is now engaged in modernizing its nuclear weapons arsenal at a frantic pace with the help of China, its 'all-weather ally', a recent US intelligence report has revealed. India at center of Pakistan Army's strategy According to the US intel report, after the recent clashes, Pakistan considers India a mortal threat to its existence, and believes that it cannot compete with its powerful and much larger neighbor with conventional weapons. The report warns that Pakistan is rapidly manufacturing tactical nuclear weapons that can be deployed in the battlefield in wake of another India-Pakistan war. Further, US intelligence agencies have highlighted that India now sits at the center of Pakistan Army's strategy, which considers New Delhi as a long-term threat, and its new weapons– conventional and nuclear– are being designed with Indian military strength in mind. Pakistan developing tactical nukes The report states that alongside conventional weapons, Pakistan is also developing tactical nuclear weapons or what it calls 'battlefield nuclear weapons' that are designed to be used within a limited area, and prove devastating in any India-Pakistan border clash. Additionally, the Pakistan Army, under its radical chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is modernizing its nuclear weapons stockpile and strengthening the nuclear command, for which it is indirectly procuring technology and materials via countries like China, Turkey, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the UAE. This illicit network of WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) supplies is being operated in utmost secrecy and in defiance of international rules, which raises serious questions on regional security, the report states. Pakistani military, economy now completely dependent on China The US intel report has also warned about Pakistan's military power and economy now being completely dependent on China, which is a major concern for South Asia as Beijing is likely to use any future India-Pakistan conflict as a testing ground for its weapons, such as fighter jets, air defense systems, and missiles. Citing the example of a major air exercise in November 2024, in which China's PLA and the Pakistani Air Force (PAF) reviewed their operational preparedness, the report noted that Pakistan and China are tied together in a tight military embrace as is evident from their joint military exercises. Apart from India, the report pointed out that the top priorities of the Pakistani army are likely to remain cross-border clashes with regional neighbors during the next year, including Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), who killed more than 2500 people in Pakistan in insurgent attacks in 2024. Pakistan attempting to mend ties with Iran, Afghanistan Beyond the above developments, the intelligence report also noted that Pakistan was making attempts to mend strained ties with its neighbors, India and Afghanistan, with Islamabad holding a slew of meeting with Tehran last year to improve relations. Iran and Pakistan had carried out tit-for-tat airstrikes on each others border in 2024 resulting in soured ties between the two nations. Similarly, Islamabad's relations with Kabul have deteriorated as Pakistan accuses the ruling Afghan Taliban regime of supporting and aiding Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) insurgents. In March 2025, the Pakistani Air Force carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan leading to border clashes between the two countries.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
On May 10, Pakistan folded after brief fight
Pakistan's Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos retaliation to Indian Operation Sindoor on May 10 lasted just eight hours with Islamabad desperately calling the US to intervene on its behalf for a ceasefire , after four major air strikes by IAF pulverized the air-bases, air assets and air defenses of the enemy on the intervening night of May 10, according to people familiar with the matter. IAF fighters launched precision missiles that struck Pakistan four times on May 10 with Rafale-launched SCALP missiles and SU-30 MKI-launched Brahmos missiles taking out the northern air command-control network at Nur Khan airbase in Chaklala in the first strike itself, the people added. The last strike was carried out at Jacobabad and Bholari air bases but by that time Pakistan had folded and was seeking US intervention for cease fire. The so-called Bunyan al-Marsoos operation that Pakistan launched at 1.00 am on May 10 with the promise of destroying Indian air bases in the next 48 hours as per communication intercepts, lasted only till 930 am as India went in hard against Pakistan using an assortment of air to surface missiles, the people said. The Pakistani Air Force hardly flew on May 10,they said. India's S-400 air defence system in Adampur went into action no less than 11 times during Operation Sindoor and destroyed a Pakistani SAAB-2000 airborne early warning system as far as 315 kilometers away deep in Pakistan. Indian Air Force also has proof of its missiles having downed one C-130 J medium lift aircraft, a JF-17 and two F-16 fighters on ground and in the air, they added. The IAF used both SCALP and Brahmos in tandem so that targets were not missed. During the May 7 attack on nine terrorist camps, seven camps were hit by an assortment of loitering ammunition of Army, Air Force and the Navy with terror factories at Muridke and Bahawalpur being hit by SCALP and Brahmos missiles with precision guided capabilities. According to the people cited above, on May 10, the Indian strikes took out a Chinese-made LY-80 air defence system using a HARPY kamikaze drone at Lahore, while an Indian missile took out the prized HQ-9 (Chinese version of S-300) at Malir in Karachi. The Indian Navy was prepared to target Karachi Naval Port on May 10 morning with its armada moving 260 miles off Makaran Coast but the Pakistan DGMO called up to say that there would be a retaliation in case India used Brahmos missiles to strike at the port. The threat for retribution from Pakistan left Indian armed forces as well as the political leadership unfazed but by May 10 afternoon, the PAK DGMO was requesting a no fire pact .
NDTV
19-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
Trump Is Hell-Bent On Bullying His Friends
Every family has stories of courage. My uncle, my father's older brother, is one of the Adampur Tigers who bombed the Sargodha air base in broad daylight in the 1965 war, an audacious attack, still studied by the Pakistani Air Force. The future of war is no longer following that manual. While the heroism of Indian forces remains the same, this new paradigm comes with deceptive and fast-changing geopolitical realities. The mix could not be more lethal. TRUMP NEGOTIATES FROM THE BULLY PULPIT While India tries to decipher motivations behind Trump's mixed messaging over the past week, wondering if it's his usual bloviation, a shady Pakistan crypto deal with personal benefits, or a negotiating tactic for a lopsided trade agreement from his 'Art of the Deal' playbook, it is clear that Trump's Plan A was having issues, so he moved to Plan B. Plan A was Trump's tariff war, primarily aimed at China. But the unprecedented speed of the US market crash and an uncooperative Fed led to Trump putting this plan on a snooze button, with the hope of reviving it when the Fed chair is replaced next year. Plan B is pausing the tariff war and consolidating American influence by wooing states that already are or face the risk of going to the Chinese bloc. Trump's Middle East trip this week sent out dystopian messages: the US president shook hands with an ex-Al Qaeda leader, considered accepting a luxury 747 jet from Qatar, a country he's labelled as 'funders of terror', reached out to Turkey's Erdogan, and hinted at a reversal of stance on Iran's nuclear deal. Being overly lenient towards Pakistan seems part of that strategy. If India rightfully bristles about its out-of-nowhere hyphenation with Pakistan, so is Israel taken aback about Syria, and Europe about Putin. In this sudden flip, Trump wants to use India's tense week to his negotiating advantage - an international bully wanting to claim victory for a strong US trade deal. But this seems to be a small reel in the bigger film, one that shows no signs of change. "DE-CHINAFICATION" At the centre of almost any major geopolitical event over the last decade, including what just happened between India and Pakistan, is the biggest macro trend the world is currently witnessing: de-globalisation, or, as I call it, "de-Chinafication". The hyper-globalisation that began in the 1990s is seeing its great unwind. Since the primary winner of this tide was China, the primary loser, as the trend reverses, will also be China. As the old Wall Street adage goes, facts follow stock prices. Since the Covid-19 crisis, the Indian stock market is up more than 300%, while China's has fallen 20%. China's post-COVID-19 growth has stumbled, and investments have stalled. Adding to this, recent company earnings commentaries indicate that global supply chains long thought to be in China's favour are, in fact, a lot more flexible and nimble than anticipated. The dragon is seething. And in its direct line of fire is the country closest to being a challenger: India. A DECELERATING CHINA LASHES OUT It is a striking coincidence that the biggest terrorist attack India has seen since 26/11 eclipsed India's biggest economic headline in recent years: Apple announcing it will move all its iPhone production from China to India. As the world's largest company, Apple's announcement is the ultimate stamp of 'de-Chinafication'. Where Apple goes, sooner or later, most will follow. Unable to stop this decoupling, China may be trying to make it harder for American companies to move to India. And Pakistan is its more than willing lackey. INDIA WILL WEATHER THIS STORM It is now well-established across global military and open-source experts that India emerged as a winner in this conflict. India's new muscular, zero-tolerance doctrine for terror is the right and only choice. But, as Beijing's deception and denial continue to play out in war zones and in places and times New Delhi least expects, India will face a challenging task of simultaneously protecting both its people and its economic ascension. In the midst of this storm, India will also need to weather a tumultuous Trump, who seems hell-bent on bullying his friends more than his adversaries. As my fighter pilot uncle says, "When everything seems to be going against you, remember that an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it." I believe India will do the same.
