Pak singer Adnan Sami allowed to stay in India on humanitarian grounds

New Delhi: Famous Pakistani singer Adnan Sami has been allowed to stay in India on humanitarian grounds till further orders, a union minister said on Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday informed the Lok Sabha that the singer was exempted from deportation proceedings under section 3 of the Foreigners Act.

"...in pursuance of the powers conferred under section 3A of Foreigners Act, 1946 (31 of 1946), the central government being of the opinion that it is necessary and expedient in public interest to do so, hereby declared that provisions of clauses (c) and (e) of sub-section (2) of section 3 of the Foreigners Act 1946 and paragraph 11 of the Foreigners Order, 1948, shall not apply to Adnan Sami Khan, son of late Arshad Sami Khan, and he is exempted from deportation proceedings. This order shall remain valid until further orders are issued on the subject," the home ministry order said.

The 46-year-old singer, who gave hit songs like 'Kabhi to nazar milao' and 'Lift karaa de', had appealed for legalisation of his stay in the country in May this year.

He submitted a representation to the home ministry on May 26, 2015, requesting for his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.

Lahore-born Sami had first arrived in India on March 13, 2001 on a visitor's visa with the validity of one year which was issued by the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. His visa was extended from time to time. His Pakistani passport issued on May 27, 2010 expired on May 26, 2015 and his passport was not renewed by the Pakistan government which forced him to approach the Indian government with the request to legalise his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.