I'm an Indian

Singer-composer Adnan Sami is none too pleased by attempts in the Pakistani media to club his case with that of the lately-beleaguered Pakistani singer Rahat Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan who returned to Pakistan.Foiled attempts have been made by the media from across the border to get in touch with Adnan and his family in Pakistan and India.

Says Adnan angrily, “I don't know why the Pakistani media is bringing my name up in Rahat's context. First of all I am not being hounded/targeted/victimized/persecuted in Mumbai. I am doing just fine, shukriya. Yes, I'm in a spot of trouble with the government over a foreign-exchange issue.But you can't compare my problem with Rahat's. I had done everything as per official instruction.It was the authorities who did not read the fine -print.”

Adnan sidesteps the strong rumours that he is under renewed threat from a regional political party to leave the country.

“Arrey yaar, there will be the party-poopers in every situation.You can't run away and hide just because some people want to get rid of you. Let me make it very clear that Mumbai is my city. This is where I now belong.And no one can drive me out.”

Reacting to rumours that he still maintains a Pakistani passport Adnan sighs, “My application for an Indian passport is almost come through. I'll soon be an Indian citizen. Until then, yes I do hold a Pakistani passport. Does that make me Pakistani?

We've an example of a very important and beloved leader coming from Italy. How Italian would you consider this beloved leader who is dedicated to Indian politics? Nationality is a state of mind.I am Indian.I dare anyone to prove otherwise.”

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan thanks Indian government for support

Islamabad: Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has appreciated the Indian government's efforts to secure his release following his detention at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for allegedly attempting to leave the country with over 124,000 dollars.

"I am thankful to the Indian Government for understanding our stance. They treated us like true artists should be treated," The Express Tribune quoted Khan, as saying while talking to media persons at the Lahore Airport after his arrival in Pakistan.

The singer also appreciated the support of some Indian artists who had given him support during his detention.

Khan emphasised that he was never mistreated by Indian authorities during the ordeal, and also shot down claims of threats from any extremist groups during his stay in India.

He said he was happy to return home, and thanked the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, which had intervened in his detention case on the orders of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry.

Earlier this month, Khan was charged with violating India's Foreign Exchange Management Act and customs rules, and had to pay a fine of 33,216 dollars for trying to smuggle large quantities of cash out of the country.

Under Indian customs rules, visitors are allowed to carry only 5,000 dollars in cash in and out of the country.

Khan said he was carrying more than the permitted amount of money because he was oblivious of the Indian law in this regard.

"It's a customs law which I did not know about. The law says that you cannot carry more than 5000 dollars. We were a group of 14 people. And we had booked our tickets on one PNR number. So that proves that the money belonged to all 14 of us," the musician explained.

Khan, a nephew of late Pakistani music legend Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, is rated as one of the top singers in Bollywood today. Along with his group, Khan was boarding a plane to Lahore via Dubai on February 13 when authorities found 124,000 dollars in cash in their bags.

Rahat Episode Hasn't Discouraged Pak Singers

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan faced the music in India for being on the wrong side of the law but that hasn't unnerved aspiring Pakistani singers from trying to make it big on the other side of the border.

Sam Sattar, a 20-something singer-actor-model, hopes to strike a good deal in Bollywood. Doing live gigs in her hometown of Karachi, Sattar has her eyes set on India because "it has a bigger and wider international music and entertainment market".

Positive, a band by twin brothers Nazr and Yousuf based at Jamshoro in southern Sindh, also dreams of an India launch.

"Would love to go to Bollywood but haven't made any plans yet. India has great respect for art... I'll go to honour it," Nazr told PTI.

Base Rock Cafe, the country's biggest music and karaoke venue, has become a grooming ground of sorts for upcoming groups who sing covers of musical greats from Pink Floyd and Guns 'n' Roses to Kishore Kumar. Both Sattar and Positive have showcased their talent there.

Just like 30-year-old Nazr and his twin, most performers have had no formal training in music but they seem at ease with both eastern and western covers and dream of striking it big in India with their own albums.

"There are conspiracy theories about Rahat Fateh Ali Khan being cornered in India because of professional jealousy, but I do believe that what he did was wrong. Rahat himself apologized to his Indian fans," said an aspiring singer who did not wish to be named.

Rahat and his manager were detained by DRI sleuths in New Delhi recently with allegedly undeclared amount of USD 1.24 lakh (nearly Rs 60 lakh) in foreign currency. He has had to pay a fine of Rs 15 lakhs.

Interestingly, most youngsters are singing to break the many myths about Pakistan or to speak out against terrorism.

Zebunisa Bangash and Haniya Aslam, two cousins who are a sensation in Pakistan, are trying to change the negative image of Pashtuns perpetuated by media stereotypes through their songs.

"The way global politics have panned out, we feel that the perception of Pashtun characteristics have become one-dimensional, reductionist and negative," Haniya told PTI.

"All we're trying to do is uphold tradition in our own way," said Haniya, who has added zing to Pashtu music. That the lyrics have evolved is evident from their single Mainen Rona Chod Diya, a favourite with the girls.

The lyrics are no longer "patriarchal" as a Pakistani blogger pointed out recently.

Cheapmunks, a two-member girl band touted as the next big thing after Zeb and Haniya, was a sellout at Base Rock Cafe, just as was Schaz Khan, another upcoming singer.

There's also Shahvar Ali Khan quietly waiting in the wings with his No Saazish, No Jung. Khan performed his single to a cheering crowd in Lahore at the Faiz Ahmed Faiz centennial last week.

There's a lot happening musically with Pakistan seeing its first-ever flash mob dance for a cause. The flash mob showcased its slick moves choreographed to The Time Of My Life by Black Eyed Peas in Karachi. The mob danced to raise awareness for the children affected by last year's devastating floods.


Source: New Delhi Television Limited

Rahat Fateh returns to Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan returned home on Wednesday after paying a penalty of three million Indian rupees.
The singer was allowed to travel to Pakistan after completion of investigation into customs laws violation and payment of fine.
On his arrival at the Benazir Bhutto airport in Islamabad, the Khan maintained that the money obtained from him was confiscated over ignorance about customs laws and criminal charges were not filed against him.
He said, throughout the ordeal Pakistani authorities, especially Interior Minister Rehman Malik and the Pakistani High Commission were very forthcoming in providing him help.

 Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's MORE NEWS


Source:The Express Tribune Pakistan

Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, manager Maroof fined Rs. 15 lakh each

New Delhi: Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and his manager Maroof have been fined Rs. 15 lakh each by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).

Rahat and his 16-member troupe were detained at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on February 13 for allegedly carrying undeclared foreign currency worth $1.24 lakh (about Rs. 60 lakh).

As per norms, no one can carry beyond $5,000 in cash and $5,000 in other instruments. A person has to declare the amount if he is carrying more than this to the Customs Department.

On Saturday, the duo was slapped with charges under Foreign Exchange Management Act and Customs Act. They will be allowed to leave the country after they pay the penalty. The money seized from Rahat and Maroof stands confiscated, officials say.

The singer and his manager have faced several rounds of questioning by the DRI officials, the latest being on Friday when they were questioned for 11 hours in New Delhi. Rahat was also quizzed for 10 hours on Thursday. Rahat and Maroof were questioned about the money recovered from them and the payments they received during their shows in the country and the mode of money transfer.

The DRI has also questioned a number of other persons in the case including his event managers.

Rahat is rated as a one of the top playback singers of the Hindi film industry and has several hit numbers to his credit. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer this year for 'Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji' from the movie 'Ishqiya'.


Source: New Delhi Television Limited

Rahat Fateh gets passport; may return home tonight

NEW DELHI: Famous Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has received his passport from Indian authorities and he is expected to embark on a return journey to Pakistan tonight, Geo News Pakistan reported Saturday.

According to an Indian TV channel, earlier today Rahat was charged with currency violations on after he and his entourage were allegedly caught with $124,000 in undeclared cash at New Delhi's airport.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, a nephew of late Pakistani singing great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and his group were boarding a plane to Lahore via Dubai last Sunday when authorities alleged they found the $124,000 cash in their bags.

Thirty-seven-year-old Khan is accused of carrying undeclared foreign currency in violation of India's Foreign Exchange Management Act and customs rules.

Khan's manager Maroof, who goes by one name, faces similar charges, the reports said. The singer was stopped at the airport and his passport confiscated after performing a string of concerts in India.

According to Indian customs rules, visitors are allowed to carry only $5,000 in cash in and out of the country.

Central Board of Excise and Customs chairman S. Dutt Majumdar said the cash had allegedly been found divided among the musical troupe.

Rahat, a frequent visitor to India, is rated as one of the top "playback" singers in Bollywood, the country's prolific Hindi-language film industry, performing songs to which actors lip-synch the words.

He has several hit songs to his credit and won India's Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer this year.

A spokesman for the Pakistan High Commission (embassy) in New Delhi said he was not immediately aware of the charges.

But the Pakistani foreign ministry said in Islamabad earlier in the week it was "closely monitoring the situation".

The charges were laid just over a week after nuclear rivals India and Pakistan agreed to resume peace talks suspended more than two years ago after Islamist gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai.

Authorities could impose "heavy penalties" on Rahat and his manager, the Press Trust of India said, quoting unidentified official sources.

It was not immediately known what penalties the pair could face. Khan's agent Yusuf Salahuddin said the singer was perhaps unaware of India's stringent foreign currency laws.

"He was in India for 10 days and did about seven concerts all across the country and this must have been some of the money which possibly was given to him at the airport," he told Times Now TV station earlier this week.

India charges Pakistani singer

NEW DELHI — India charged a well-known Pakistani singer with currency violations on Saturday after he and his entourage were allegedly caught with $124,000 in undeclared cash at New Delhi's airport, reports said.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, a nephew of late Pakistani singing great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and his group were boarding a plane to Lahore via Dubai last Sunday when authorities alleged they found the $124,000 cash in their bags.
Thirty-seven-year-old Khan is accused of carrying undeclared foreign currency in violation of India's Foreign Exchange Management Act and customs rules, the Press Trust of India and other media reported.
Khan's manager Maroof, who goes by one name, faces similar charges, the reports said.
The singer was stopped at the airport and his passport confiscated after performing a string of concerts in India.
According to Indian customs rules, visitors are allowed to carry only $5,000 in cash in and out of the country.
Central Board of Excise and Customs chairman S. Dutt Majumdar said the cash had allegedly been found divided among the musical troupe.
Rahat, a frequent visitor to India, is rated as one of the top "playback" singers in Bollywood, the country's prolific Hindi-language film industry, performing songs to which actors lip-synch the words.
He has several hit songs to his credit and won India's Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer this year.
A spokesman for the Pakistan High Commission (embassy) in New Delhi said he was not immediately aware of the charges.
But the Pakistani foreign ministry said in Islamabad earlier in the week it was "closely monitoring the situation".
The charges were laid just over a week after nuclear rivals India and Pakistan agreed to resume peace talks suspended more than two years ago after Islamist gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai.
Authorities could impose "heavy penalties" on Rahat and his manager, the Press Trust of India said, quoting unidentified official sources.
It was not immediately known what penalties the pair could face.
Khan's agent Yusuf Salahuddin said the singer was perhaps unaware of India's stringent foreign currency laws.
"He was in India for 10 days and did about seven concerts all across the country and this must have been some of the money which possibly was given to him at the airport," he told Times Now TV station earlier this week.

Rahat to face Revenue Intelligence in Delhi

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence will question Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan again today.

DRI officials questioned Rahat, his manager Maroof Ali, and his event Manager Chitresh Srivastava on Thursday.

Rahat and his manager Maroof were caught at IGI airport for carrying undeclared dollars and cheques on February 14.

According to the sources, the money he was carrying was received for his seven performances. On the basis of information, the investigating agency carried out raids at forex dealers premises in Andheri.

DRI officials have already conducted searches at the premises of "Eyeline Telefilm and Events" in Mumbai, owned by Chitresh, elder brother of Bollywood singer Aadesh Shrivastava.

The Income Tax department will also find the source of the money seized from the firm's premises.

Source: Times of India

India to quiz Pakistani singer over cash: report

NEW DELHI — Indian authorities are to question a renowned Pakistani singer and two members of his entourage after they were detained at New Delhi airport for carrying undeclared cash worth $124,000.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and the other two men were released by revenue officials late Monday but their passports have been withheld pending further investigations, the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency said.
Khan, a nephew of the late Pakistani singing great Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, had performed a series of concerts in India.

The 37-year-old artist will be questioned again later this week over the incident in which his group were boarding a plane to Lahore via Dubai on Sunday when airport authorities found the cash in their bags, PTI reported.

Pakistani High Commission officials were reported to have tried to meet the men while they were being held.
According to Indian customs rules, visitors are allowed to carry only $5,000 in and out of the country.(AFP)

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan released

NEWS DELHI: Pakistan’s internationally acclaimed singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan who had been detained in India for over 25 hours was released on Monday, Geo News reported.

Rahat Fateh Ali was detained here at Indira Gandhi airport on Sunday for possessing 124,000 US dollars, higher than the permissible limit, when he arrived at the airport to board for a flight to Karachi.

However, the singer was released today but his passport still remains with the Indian authorities. He has been summoned again for investigation on February 17. Two more persons along with Rahat Fateh were also released including his manager Sri Vastava.

Earlier, today Pakistan urged India for immediate lifting of ‘Protective Custody’ of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, detained in India for allegedly carrying foreign currency.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir spoke with Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad and urged that the internationally renowned singer be released.

The Interior Minister Rehman Malik also talked to Pakistan's High Commissioner to New Delhi Shahid Malik on Sunday to inquire details about the detention.

Music fraternity support Rahat Ali Khan

While Pakistan has initiated hectic efforts to secure the release of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was detained at the IGI airport in Delhi on Sunday by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), after he and two of his troupe members were caught carrying 1.24 lakh USD (about `60 lakh) in undeclared foreign currency, singers and musicians from the music fraternity say that the man deserves to be treated with respect.

Rahat, who was on his way to Lahore via Dubai, was questioned at length by the DRI. According to law, a foreign national cannot carry more than USD 5,000 in cash and 5,000 USD in other forms. The person has to declare the amount if he is carrying more than this to the customs department. Foreign secretary Salman Bashir called Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Sharat Sabarwal, and discussed the matter around midnight Sunday. He requested the Indian envoy to ensure that "no official should misbehave with Rahat during interrogation." More than $100,000 was recovered from the 15-member troupe. After over six hours of interrogation by customs officials, Rahat was formally arrested and was presented in a court Monday morning. Bashir also called up the Pakistani High Commissioner to India, Shahid Malik, and directed him to "take immediate steps for securing release of Rahat". "The matter should be taken up formally with Indian foreign office," he insisted, adding that "contact with Indian authorities for updates in the case must be maintained throughout." Rahat's brother-in-law said, "We are yet to establish any proper contact with the authorities in India, although Rahat spoke briefly to his wife and asked her to remain hopeful of a positive outcome". Singers and musicians insist that while the airport authorities should do their job, a man of his stature and lineage should be treated with respect.


Anyone, be it a musician or politician, who is doing something illegal, should be held accountable. Having said that, we don't know much about Rahatji's case, it can be that these were only performance fees. The thing with us musicians is that at times we don't know the rules. So, it might be a case of performance money that might be unaccounted for. I assume it's a case of ignorance. And if the payment has come from legal sources, there shouldn't be a problem.
–Subir Malik, Parikrama

Cops are supposed to do their job. But you should be courteous to a man of such calibre. He could've been paid a heavy amount for shows. But he should be treated respectfully, so that he takes back happy memories, that, you know the cops did their job and they were respectful.
–Amit Kilam, Indian Ocean


I know that Rahatji is a very respectable man, besides being a highly acclaimed and well-known artiste, and if he is not guilty of all those charges, he should not fear at all until proven guilty.
–Shibani Kashyap


He's a part of my fraternity – he's also part of the music industry's success, and I stand by what he says. He needs support at this moment, and we should not create problems for him or speculate till anything is proved. I support him.
–Usha Uthup


The authorities are just doing their job. But with due respect to the man and his stature, ignorance of law is no excuse for the rich or the poor to get away with anything. We've got to be aware of the law, and you cannot go against or ignore the rules of the country, like declaring cash at the customs, no matter how many forms you've to fill. However, being a part of the music fraternity, we all are with him.
–Anu Malik




Source: The Time Of India

Pakistan steps up efforts for Rahat Ali Khan's release

Pakistan on Monday stepped up efforts for the release of noted singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who has been detained in India for possessing a large amount of undeclared foreign currency, according to media reports.

Foreign secretary Salman Bashir has contacted the Indian high commissioner in Islamabad to discuss Khan's case, Geo News channel reported.

The Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi has set up a special team to liaise with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, which has detained Khan, the channel reported.

There was no official word from the Foreign Office or the Indian High Commission on the matter.

The 37-year-old nephew of legendary Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was detained at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday on the charge that he was carrying $1,24,000 that he had not declared.

Interior minister Rehman Malik said on Sunday night he was examining the matter and had directed Pakistan's high commissioner to India Shahid Malik to inquire about Khan's detention.

The news of Khan's detention was carried on the front pages of most Pakistani dailies and dominated bulletins on news channels.

Sourec: Hindustan Times

Rahat Fateh Ali arrested in India, will appear in court

Rahat Fateh Ali arrested in India, will appear in court today Famous Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been arrested in India and he will appear in Indian court today, Dunya News reported today. According to his family, only the passport of Rahat Fateh Ali has been taken in custody; he has reached his hotel in New Delhi.

It is stated that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan along with his two companions was coming to Pakistan from India when Indian police stopped them at the airport. Indian police has arrested Rahat and his two companions on the charge that they were carrying 124,000 dollars with them.

According to Chairman Indian Central Excise and Customs S Maujamdar, it is prohibited to take foreign currency out of India without declaring it. Rahat and his companions were shifted to Customs headquarters for further investigations. Federal Minister for Interior Affairs Rehman Malik has discussed this issue of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan with Pakistani High Commissioner in India Shahid Malik. Foreign Office spokesperson Abdul Basit has said that Pakistani High Commission is on constant contact with Indian officials and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will be given full support. While Rahat’s wife, Nida Rahat claims that she spoke to him and he is fine and is staying in a hotel in New Delhi. According to Rahat’s family, the Indian officials have only taken his passport into custody.

Pak seeks info about Rahat's detention

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Sunday directed Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik to inquire about the detention of well-known singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The minister is examining the matter, said an official statement issued hours after Khan was detained at the airport in Delhi on charges of carrying a large amount of undeclared foreign currency.

Malik telephoned the Pakistani High Commissioner and asked him to monitor the matter, the statement said.

Khan, 37, is the nephew of legendary Pakistani qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and has recorded many hit songs for Bollywood movies. He regularly performs in India and was on his way back to Pakistan after a series of concerts when he was detained.


Source:  Hindustan Times

Pakistan concerned over Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's detention in India

Islamabad/New Delhi, Feb 13 (IANS) Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik Sunday directed the country's envoy in India to extend consular support to singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, who was detained at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on charges of carrying undisclosed money.

Rahat was detained at the airport Sunday on his way back to Pakistan after attending concerts and award functions in India. More than $100,000 was recovered from the 15-member troupe, which is now being interrogated by customs officials.

Malik hear a detailed briefing on the matter from Pakistani High Commissioner to India Shahid Malik. 'He directed Shahid Malik to keep a tab on the issue and provide legal and consular support to Rahat,' state-run Pakistan Television reported.

The envoy assured the minister that he and his staff would 'undertake all efforts to facilitate Rahat', the channel said.

It added that the envoy 'has also established contact with airport officials and other relevant authorities in India to prepare a strategy in this regard'.

Rahat's brother-in-law, Asim Raza, told Dunya TV that they 'received information from the media and were feeling concerned about it'. 'We are yet to establish any proper contact with the authorities in India although Rahat talked briefly with his wife and asked her to remain hopeful of a positive outcome'.

Reacting to the development, Pakistani folk singer Rafaqat Ali Khan told Dunya TV: 'Artistes sometimes showed carelessness in such legal matters, which landed them in trouble. The government must intervene in this matter to get him freed without any further trouble.'

The detention of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, heir to the legacy of legendary singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, spread like wildfire in Pakistan and was the lead story in almost all Pakistani TV channels in their prime time bulletins.

Rahat, the nephew of Nusrat, is popular both in India and Pakistan. Several of his hit songs from Indian films are a rage on both sides of the border, for which he has won several awards, including the recent Filmfare award for 'Dil to Bacha Hai Jee'.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan detained over undeclared foreign currency

 Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was detained at the IGI airport in New Delhi this evening by revenue intelligence sleuths for allegedly carrying a huge amount of undeclared foreign currency.

Khan, popular Bollywood playback singer, arrived here on a flight from Karachi and was intercepted by personnel from directorate of revenue intelligence acting on some prior information, official sources said.

They said the singer was carrying a huge amount of foreign currency which he did not declare to the immigration authorities. Two other persons accompanying him have also been detained, the sources said.

Khan is being questioned and the amount of the money is being ascertained, they said.

The 37-year-old, nephew of Pakistani singing legend Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, was earlier too involved in a controversy when organisers of a concert in Gurgaon filed a police complaint against him in July last year for his failure to turn up for a show.

Khan has several hit numbers to his credit and had won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Playback Singer this year for Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji from the movie Ishqiya.