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HYDERABAD: Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was deported from India's Hyderabad on Thursday morning, Times of India reported.
The singer who was scheduled to perform at a New Year's Eve event was denied entry and asked to return to Abu Dhabi.
"Technical flaws" were cited by Immigration authorities at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as the reason behind Rahat's deportation.
Immigration officials said there was a rule violation in Rahat's travel papers due to which he was deported.
"There was a technical issue with his documentation and he was deported to Abu Dhabi on the same flight," an immigration official told TOI.
"If a Pakistani national enters through any other airport except the four metros, his or her travel to India cannot be recorded. So it is mandatory that they stick to the four ports. This system has been put in place to monitor the movement of Pakistani nationals in and out of the country," an official said.
Indian immigration rules state Pakistani nationals can't enter India through Hyderabad as legal points of entry by air are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
The singer was asked to return to Abu Dhabi and travel to Hyderabad after entering the country by means of valid points of entry, an official told ToI.
Rahat took a flight to Delhi from Abu Dhabi Thursday evening, then boarded a chartered flight to Hyderabad airport, ToI sources claim.
Due to the unexpected deportation, the concert initially scheduled for 8pm was rescheduled for 11pm, a member of the event organising team confirmed.
After news of Rahat's deportation spread, the event organisers were able to receive clearance from the relevant Union government departments, including the ministry of home affairs, making it possible for the Pakistani singer to return to Hyderabad.
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On DawnNews
Comments (147) Closed
Jan 01, 2016 11:33am
And this is the India that demands an open visa policy from Pakistan ! I hope Pakistan treats Indians in a similar fashion and has no more than 2 airports from where Indians can enter Pakistan.
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Jan 01, 2016 11:37am
by now he should be aware of the rules, he visits India so frequently
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Jan 01, 2016 11:37am
Event managers should have guided him with proper travel plan. It's the fault of organisers. Sorry Fareh for inconvenience. But then rules are rules.
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Jan 01, 2016 11:45am
Wish we relax rules for visitors, in this networked administration.
Imagine just like modiji, I can go to Karachi for a visit!!!!!
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Jan 01, 2016 11:47am
I never went to India but I know the existence of this rule. How come such a frequent visitor like RFAK didn't.
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Jan 01, 2016 11:49am
Rule is rule - If you relax a rule for 1 person the next one also wants to it to be relaxed, because the all the future people will show the first person as the example, without even seeing the context.
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Jan 01, 2016 12:00pm
Why these singers actors and actresses and other arts personalities face such humiliation. Why dont they follow the rules and regulations set by Indian government. Pakistani authorities must ensure that people who intend to go India must be aware of local rules.
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Jan 01, 2016 12:04pm
Organisers should study the rules first. This is organisers' fault.
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Jan 01, 2016 12:05pm
@rehan no need to get emotional. Similar rules might be In place Pakistan so chill buddy
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Jan 01, 2016 12:08pm
This is bad. India pak talks need to progress and this shouldn't happen to anyone.
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Jan 01, 2016 12:09pm
rahat is great great talent but he must follow rule especially when he is a public icon
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Jan 01, 2016 12:10pm
@rehan "an eye for an eye would leave the whole world blind" revenge as foreign policy is hardly a sensible way forward.
The Immigration Office should have been able to relax such purely administrative rules. These laws should be applied with common sense and not in an idiotic, petty and spiteful way.
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Jan 01, 2016 12:20pm
No doubt ignorance of the prevailing rule or law is not a defence but surely an exception could have been made in this case! How will Indo Pak relationship improve otherwise?
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Jan 01, 2016 12:27pm
Rules are rules....and enforcing them is a must........
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Jan 01, 2016 12:33pm
@rehan why will indians want to come to pak
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Jan 01, 2016 12:46pm
Serious mistake by organizers
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Jan 01, 2016 12:47pm
Rahet Sir..so sorry..but rule is there ..so can't help.. No fault of yours at all!...I would hold the organisers responsible for this episode.. hope to see you soon again here...
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Jan 01, 2016 12:48pm
@Kamal ; Maybe he thought being a VIP , he will be left to pass through the customs...
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Jan 01, 2016 12:51pm
@suresh deshpande ....If it were the rules than the organizers would have known. unfortunately, the new rules came in force as soon Mr. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan landed there. Your government policy sucks....
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Jan 01, 2016 12:58pm
@RK yes you are right buddy.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:08pm
The best way to learn about India's visa policies is to follow news about Rahat's India visits.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:16pm
Foolish laws.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:18pm
The Indian travel planners are at fault. We love Rahat sahab and his songs. We love all pakistani artists. always welcome in India and India pays very well too.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:19pm
No problem have similar restrictions for Indians visiting Pakistan too.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:21pm
Rahat should know the rules. ignorance of law is no excuse.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:27pm
@rehan meanwhile adnan sami got Indian citizenship
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Jan 01, 2016 01:27pm
@Shoaib .... If pakistan was a dubai, then it would be different, right now and for future...they will have to bear with it.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:34pm
In this Modi and BJP's era rules are strictly being followed everywhere to end the VIP culture. Recently in 2 separate incidents, Air India planes took off without the late VIPs - one was CM of Maharashtra (from BJP) and other was Governor of Kerala. So don't expect any special treatment.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:35pm
@rehan But brother still open visa policy is not initiated between the two neighbors, you just can't expect the officials to go away with the rules that are already laid. I see no merit in making it an issue.
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Jan 01, 2016 01:40pm
really feel sorry for Mr RFAK, he has been troubled for the mistake of the organizers. Wish the organizers plan well to avoid such inconvenience to the artists who have no boundaries.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:12pm
@Shoaib Shoaib every frequent traveller knows all these rules. Every nation has rules. Why can't you view this from this standpoint.
What did he expect ... A officer to let him in breaking rules and risk his govt.job?
Pakistanis are so very emotional ....!
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Jan 01, 2016 02:13pm
@rehan :) But do you know at how many ports Indians can enter Pakistan? First confirm that before jumping around. And just think, when visa form by an Indian or Pakistani for visiting each other's country is filled, port of entry is specifically mentioned. How is it that Rahat saheb keeps committing such technical mistakes so often? Weren't he earlier caught for carrying to much of cash in bags?
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Jan 01, 2016 02:14pm
Clearly a slip from those organising the travel itinerary.
Kudos to Mr Rahet for not creating an issue and solving the issue in line with the law. we have known of celebrities who behave otherwise.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:20pm
@rehan "I hope Pakistan treats Indians in a similar fashion and has no more than 2 airports from where Indians can enter Pakistan."
A few seconds on Google would have answered your question. From the website of Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan (www.dgip.gov.pk/Files/VisaforIndian.aspx):
"Following are the designated entry/exit check posts for Indian nationals, coming to Pakistan:-
i By Air Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad.
ii By Sea Karachi.
iii By Road Wagha."
Let the respective departments do their jobs my friend...knee-jerk reactions don't benefit anyone...:-)
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Jan 01, 2016 02:20pm
He should have known the rules. As long as have equally foolish visa restrictions for Indians, then we have no room to complain.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:30pm
abstruse rules...what's the point in having only four entry points for pakistanis...why can't they be entered through other airports...do indians think of them as aliens
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Jan 01, 2016 02:34pm
Indians demand more and give lesser and lesser. I think the artists can do better without performing in inhospitable and unwelcoming countries. Do they suspect every Pakistani to be a terrorist or spy?
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Jan 01, 2016 02:36pm
The Interior minister is quite strict on principles. I hope love for India will not supersede the rules and the Indians would be greeted the same way as they greet us.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:37pm
@Shoaib They should know from where to enter, Is that clear?? Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata & Mumbai are entering airports. Rules are rules ,okay dear
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Jan 01, 2016 02:40pm
@rehan he was let off earlier when he was found to be carrying excess currency. He can't expect India to bend rules for him all the time.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:40pm
Adnan Sami got Indian citizenship & Rahat was deported coz previously he was caught red handed carrying Black money on Airport.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:41pm
Thinks are in positive note now I see my Pakistan brothers supporting the law of the land n many Indians like me want to relax the rules for our brothers who are frequent visitors for positive n friendly works.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:44pm
@Shekhar and all the Indians justifying this, is this the way you reciprocate when your PM and his entourage was allowed here unexpectedly and WITHOUT VALID VISAS?
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Jan 01, 2016 02:46pm
Sorry Sir............you are in heart of all Indian but what to do rule is the rule.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:49pm
abstruse rules. .why can't they be entered through other points
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Jan 01, 2016 02:50pm
Exactly what happened to Dean Jones.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:51pm
@ali rules are rules, you're not special yhat it'll bend for you.
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Jan 01, 2016 02:52pm
Yes indeed its a mistake both by Rahat and his event organisers but I would hold the airline even more responsible for this blunder. Airlines are always aware of this kind of restrictions, so why did they issue the Boarding Pass. And even before the airline, travel agency making the flight reservation and issuing the air ticket should be held responsible.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:05pm
@Ajmal Paharhi Do not you read news papers. You NSA Mr Sartaz Aziz said they have issued 11 Visas of our PM entourage . Rest of the staff were not allowed out of the air port.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:07pm
it is high time that pakistani artist actors producerd directors singers musiciand make their own industry and start competition with india and stop depending and going there. cannot see any more such even feel very insulting......
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Jan 01, 2016 03:19pm
VISA of all INDIANS to PAK should be stopped.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:20pm
legal points of entry by air are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.??? so Hyderabad is not an International Airport Terminal? Whats so special about other airports?
What an idiotic policy, if Hyderabad is not an international terminal and didnt have immigration desks, only that would have made sense.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:27pm
@Romeo Dear mind you this rule of entry to Pakistanis is there since 1947. They can only enter and exit from any metro Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkota or Chennai. These metros keep the track or entry and exit. Other centres still do not have this facility.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:31pm
@Shubs That's it.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:31pm
Rules are rules, guys, except for those in the subcontinent who suffer from the VVIP syndrome.
No hard feelings.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:44pm
@Shakil Ahmed Khan - Go back and read the news article fully. And you will get all your answers. This rule applies to a certain nationality. Remember, every country has its own rules and policies. If you don't like it, then don't go there.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:45pm
@ali The four metro airports are big and have all modern facilities and are better equipped. To build infrastructure at all airports will be immensely costly affair and management is also tough.
That is the sole reason. I have worked on airport projects -civil part and can you tell you with fair amount of confidence that there is no other reason than cost and managent issues.
I repeat again my dear Pakistanis pls don't be so emotional. I keep telling my Pak colleagues this in Doha and Dubai offices.
And funnily my Pakbfriends agree that they are highly emotional people. Our HR manager seconds this opinion as well.
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Jan 01, 2016 03:57pm
Fair enough. At least there is no (or less) VIP culture compare to Pakistan
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Jan 01, 2016 04:00pm
@usman.. bro Chennai to Hyderabad is just 20-25 min by flight..announcement for wearing seat belt for takeoff & landing is same , i.e., you wont be asked to remove seatbelt in between at all.!!.then why did he go directly to Hyderabad.. that too in chartered flight?? Isn't it wrong..and he is no NS or visiting premier of any nation ..
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Jan 01, 2016 04:03pm
last time as Guy was held for carrying more than prescribed money and now this. Is it a deliberate action.
Every country have rules and we have to follow then, whoever the person is?
Person is not bigger than a Country.
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Jan 01, 2016 04:23pm
He was caught last time in India carrying currency in the hand bag and said that he did not know the rule. This time he tried to enter from the check point which is not allowed for Pakistanis.
I have no idea why he does not use his own brain. My little son only 8 years old and travels all over the world alone and he has never faced any problem. Why all the time we have to hear this type of news which is embarrassing to say the least.
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Jan 01, 2016 04:28pm
@BRILLIANT MAN "The best way to learn about India's visa policies is to follow news about Rahat's India visits." You really are a brilliant man.
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Jan 01, 2016 04:28pm
The news goes on to say that he returned to UAE then boarded a charter flight back to Hyderabad? How come?
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Jan 01, 2016 04:44pm
It doesn't matter.
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Jan 01, 2016 04:47pm
I think Pakistanis should be more careful when dealing eith India/Indians. There is a reson why Indians are against Pakistanis. My forefathers said good bye to Hindustan in 1947 and never looked back (even when my grandfather had business interests in Delhi).
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Jan 01, 2016 04:48pm
Rahat Fateh Ali is a gem. One should not take this incidence as humiliation . Rahat Fateh Ali is loved in India as he is an amazing artist and person.
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Jan 01, 2016 05:02pm
@rehan
This is standard policy in any country.There designated ports of entry to track and keep a record of visitors.Nothing wrong in this Would you allow an Indian to land say in Balochistan.Surely not...
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Jan 01, 2016 05:04pm
@Shoaib He was flying from Abu Dhabi, the airline is responsible to see that the passenger is complying with host government visa regulation.
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Jan 01, 2016 05:07pm
@Ajmal Paharhi You should have deported him. Whats a big deal about it.
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Jan 01, 2016 05:09pm
In today's network enabled world, one has to be insane to buy the point that only four entry points have been made to monitor entry and exit of Pakistanis. they can not be monitored if they enter from some other point.
even countries in Africa have mechanism to scan computer readible passport which enable the immigration staff to authenticate visa or otherwise. this is how fake visa holders are deported from the airport.
but i guess that Indian government lacks that facility or they expect us to be naive enough to buy there justification. wake up friends.
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Jan 01, 2016 05:15pm
Pakistan has a large market of 200 million people. Our artists can earn big money from this market without resorting to selling their wares to 'inhospitable' neighbours. Only thing is that the govt is not doing anything to protect and develop the local film/tv/music industry.
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Jan 01, 2016 05:48pm
@AJMAL PAHARHI No dear, I didnt say for that sake. We all know there so many bad events r happening which are very dangerous to ppl life... for that sake some rules have been made. But I wud have greatly appreciated if guys at airport had put little bit fine and allowed him, rather making him to go to abudhabi and return to delhi ( that was really bad ). After all he is well known and highly popular artist throughout subcontinent, everybody knows about him, he is not common man.
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Jan 01, 2016 05:50pm
But I am sure soon ( time is not far ) even visa things will be finished between india pak .
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Jan 01, 2016 05:59pm
I am surprised that a country that pride's itself as IT superpower cannot have a nationwide computer system to track select group of nationals entering into a country via a airport. Also Hyderabad is no small city or a small airport. Where is the state of art IT infrastructure that we are suppose to have?
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Jan 01, 2016 06:00pm
@Jingle bell - we gave relaxations to Modi who landed in Lahore in violations of Pakistani rules, he should have been landed in Islamabad.
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Jan 01, 2016 06:03pm
The organizers, Airlines, and the travel agents who gave him the visa should be scrutinized for such blunders.
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Jan 01, 2016 06:05pm
Wow, as if never this/similar rule is relaxed for any body? or was it going to harm a public interest?
They just wanted to show him his level!
Good job!
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Jan 01, 2016 06:08pm
Orland Bloom was deported last week too..whoever is Rahat anyways..
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Jan 01, 2016 06:14pm
i can understand how much indians are good to follow rules, there is a rule to enter in india, but is there rule to control those who harass/kill/burn minorities, do rape....
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Jan 01, 2016 06:33pm
@divergence
let me answer it for you, YES. and rightfully so
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Jan 01, 2016 06:35pm
First he did not know about Indian currency one can take out of country and made big embarrassing headlines.
Now he lands at an airport where Pakistanis can not enter.
He is a person who travels a lot but does not know simple travelling rules and regulations.
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Jan 01, 2016 06:37pm
@divergence
YES and should be continued with full force
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Jan 01, 2016 06:41pm
Rahat Ali is resposible person, before flying , he should always check his travelling documents. Abu Dhabi immigrations are also responsible in giving him the clean chit for travelling,
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Jan 01, 2016 06:42pm
Unfortunately, last month Orlando Bloom was turned back from Delhi to Hong Kong due to invalid visa and had to come back like Rahat - ironically Bloom had come to promote Indian tourism. Indians do not get to break rules in other nations, so we also treat all others the same way without money or favor exchanging hands. As an Indian I feel that Indian authorities should take studied exceptions for artistes of repute and the caliber of Rahat FAK, irrespective of being from Pakistan or elsewhere.
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Jan 01, 2016 06:49pm
@Rupesh
He is turning out to be a controversial international traveller. He should have known the rules particularly after his previous humiliation when he was caught because of undeclared money in his possession (apparently aimed at avoiding tax) while exiting an Indian airport. It did not seem organiser's fault, he was just careless and naive who decided to take a short cut by arriving directly to Hyderabad....may be he thought Indian custom officer would be polite to him because of his declared love for India although the trouble is they all know it is the love for money. I think this chap is not doing any favour to the reputation of his Qawali tribe and is also proving to be an embarrassment for his country. The government of Pakistan should advise him appropriately.
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Jan 01, 2016 07:18pm
And we let all the modi team into Pakistan without any visa. Good going.
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Jan 01, 2016 07:29pm
@people do you know Narendra Modi is a Prime Minister of a country. If Nawaz Sharif comes to India such rules will be relaxed for him too. Besides Pakistan also has such rules so don't complain
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Jan 01, 2016 07:36pm
And by the way, today only Adnan Sami got Indian citizenship :)
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Jan 01, 2016 07:45pm
At least Pakistani readers and bloggers are more reasonable and just hostile after such incident soon after Modi-Nawaz contacts. It is a very good sign. Let common sense prevail and let people from both sides respect each other and that will open up the borders for every body not just a few artists or actors.
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Jan 01, 2016 07:50pm
@ali:
Sartaj Aziz said in NA that 11 visa were issued to India's PM and entourage. Is he lying?
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Jan 01, 2016 07:51pm
Rahat was kept in detention at Dehli airport a few years back as he "somehow forgot" to declare earnings in indian trip. He was release after 2-3 days at the request of Pak govt. History repeats.
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Jan 01, 2016 07:57pm
These sort of rules should be transparent and clear. Professional Performing Artists (singers) should be required to apply for work permits and pay income tax on their takings. Certain countries like Singapore charge a fixed percentage as tax.
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Jan 01, 2016 08:04pm
@Nav;
'If you relax a rule for 1 person the next one also wants to it to be relaxed'
We relaxed rules for 11 persons in Lahore for Modi's entourage.
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Jan 01, 2016 08:05pm
@Kamal Pasha How come every country their own policy let's respect
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Jan 01, 2016 08:05pm
Poor Event management, the event manager should have arranged proper travel plan. Seem like India (technology hub) does not have same technology on all airports to track Pakistanies, therefore they have limited the entrance through limited number of airports. I guess no cloud computing solution is available
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Jan 01, 2016 08:10pm
@Ajmal Paharhi Who told Sartaz aziz told only 11 were granted out of 110
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Jan 01, 2016 08:31pm
@divergence Unless proved otherwise, YES.
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Jan 01, 2016 08:59pm
Why RFK shows his interest in Indian concert if gets humiliation one after another??
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Jan 01, 2016 09:15pm
@rehan listen rules are rules hyderabad is not a metropolitan city where any foreign nationals can enter directly !!!
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Jan 01, 2016 09:18pm
@gary Remarkably, the number of those Pakistanis who do not and do not wish to go to India is greater than a handful of artists, players and other people. So, India seems to be a nation suffering from a phobia that can't tell the difference between an artist and a terrorist.
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Jan 01, 2016 09:20pm
Soon he will be awarded the medal for the most deported Pakistani. I think this guy has no sense of awareness of things around him.
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Jan 01, 2016 09:22pm
@Imran Ahmed Do you know that most of members of PM Modi,s group in Lahore were not allowed to leave the airport due to some beurocratic rule
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Jan 01, 2016 09:27pm
@Ajmal Paharhi Ajmal: Please check and then comment. He was given 72 hours visa to Lahore. Pakistan had the right to refuse.
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Jan 01, 2016 09:30pm
Rahat can not survive without India's glamor and money.
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Jan 01, 2016 09:33pm
This guy does not learn. Once he was caught in india carrying huge amount of indian currency and not paying taxes. Once again he has tried to sneak into india not going through the proper channel.He is embarassing pakistan
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Jan 01, 2016 09:34pm
@Ramesh Sharma only 11 of the 70+ members were given 72 hour visa according to the forign affairs advisor of Sharif
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Jan 01, 2016 09:37pm
@Ajmal Paharhi Only those who were given valid visas were allowed to leave the Karachi airport. However, I agree that the situation would have been avoided if the organizers were more informed about the rules.
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Jan 01, 2016 09:40pm
@b n khazanchi perhaps he is facilitated through India.
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Jan 01, 2016 09:44pm
for Some Pakistan people must be allowed into india without documents because they are iconic people like Rahat, Gulam ali, there is no need of Documents for them to travel india .
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Jan 01, 2016 09:49pm
@rehan
I think you misunderstood. India is only demanding open trade and not movement of people.
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Jan 01, 2016 10:12pm
Never understood why these people go to India anyway? if they can make good size money in Pakistan then why go to India and get humiliated and give bad name to Pakistan?
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Jan 01, 2016 10:20pm
@Romeo asso this rule is in place since 1973.
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Jan 01, 2016 10:38pm
Amazing attitude of Indian officials! A bogus and stupid rule.
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Jan 01, 2016 10:44pm
My son is a US born person, but he cannot go to India and get visa at the airport like his other US friends can, just because his father was born in Pakistan. My grandchildren will have same restrictions, since his/her grandfather was born in Pakistan. My son opted not to get humiliated and took India out of his itinerary.
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Jan 01, 2016 10:50pm
Total fault of the organizers here and because of which not only inconvenience to the great singer but also bad name to the country. If India had ill intentions; they would not have allowed him to re enter through Delhi and then onwards via chartered flight to Hyderabad. If there is no existing infrastructure at other airports to track the entry of Pakistanis, it is not the government's fault. what were the local organizers doing ? Aren't they supposed to know or verify the rules before planning the schedule of visit of Rahat Fateh Ali ?
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Jan 01, 2016 10:52pm
Flexibility in certain cases, where the visitor is obviously a known quantity and highly unlikely to pose any kind of threat, should be exercised. Common sense just makes sense.
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Jan 01, 2016 10:58pm
@Sanjoy Sankar Guha
This is not about following the rules strictly or making exceptions at all. This is lack of knowledge or ignorance of the organizers who were probably not aware that currently both Indians and Pakistanis have to go through a different and special entry process in respective countries and there exists infrastructure of filling out necessary forms at all entry points whether travelling by air or road in both the countries. If there is absolutely no infrastructure to follow the process at Hyderabad airport to allow entry ; where is then the question of making an exception?
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Jan 02, 2016 12:38am
What a Joke. Both countries should make their neighbor their best friend. That is the only way both countries can grow economically.
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Jan 02, 2016 12:54am
I am an Indian.
I wish a day comes when India and Pakistan allow their citizens not just visit each other without visa but also live work and buy properties without any special requirements.
It has been 60-70 years and enough is enough. Lets live and prosper together and become a superpower that not only helps our own people but all impoverished people around the world.
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Jan 02, 2016 01:00am
Who paid for rahat's chartered flight from Delhi to Hyderabad ?
Anyway this is mistake of organisers, rahat's travel managers, and somewhat of airline's too. does Rahat travel on Pakistani passport or UK passport ?
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Jan 02, 2016 01:08am
For Indians the only entry points are Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad.
What's the issue? Both countries only designate certain cities. Both impose the same rules.
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Jan 02, 2016 01:39am
It is fault of Indian Govt and Airline- they should pay for silliness regards
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Jan 02, 2016 01:53am
@swamy dare crossing your goods across to central asia, rules are rules there too
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Jan 02, 2016 02:15am
@Shakil Ahmed Khan - Rules are not stupid if you don't follow them.
Did you miss it?
Read again - ..."If a Pakistani national enters through any other airport except the four metros, his or her travel to India cannot be recorded. So it is mandatory that they stick to the four ports. This system has been put in place to monitor the movement of Pakistani nationals in and out of the country," an official said...
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Jan 02, 2016 04:14am
@Sreenath : agree with your honest and unbiased opinion , regards.
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Jan 02, 2016 04:28am
@People read ur own govt website. Firstly ur own FM confirmed that visa rules were followed. Secondly, ur own govt website says Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are the three airports where Indians can land.
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Jan 02, 2016 05:00am
@k k tiwari .Plz recheck only Mumbai and Delhi are entering points by Air.
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Jan 02, 2016 05:04am
Rahat did not learn his lesson from last episode. He should hire travel agent for advice on travel matters. He is running into issues too many times and can't travel on his own.
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Jan 02, 2016 05:14am
@Changez_Khan
I also never understood. Probably they all fo for money and not for the love of the land.
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Jan 02, 2016 06:23am
The point of entry for Pakistani Nationals in India are the four Major metropolitan cities of Delhi/ Mumbai/Calcutta/Chennai.. Unfortunately he landed in Hyderabad.. It's the fault of the EVENT MANAGERS for misguiding him.
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Jan 02, 2016 06:27am
Can't understand where were the rules when 12o people delegation of Modi were hovering in Lahore without proper visa and travel documents. But Pakistan gave full hospitality to the Modi and his delegation. Indian needs to open their heart. Now all the Indian are saying rule is rule.
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Jan 02, 2016 06:52am
Rahat was already detained by Indian authorities for tax evasion and carrying over 100,000 dollars worth of undeclared cash at Mumbai airport. His agents and organisers should have been aware of these things and should have taken extra precautions...
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Jan 02, 2016 06:54am
@Shoaib The burden of verifying this rule rests on the airline.
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Jan 02, 2016 08:14am
@Anuj - Rahat had a visa. Jones didn't. The difference.
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Jan 02, 2016 08:34am
I live in the US and have never been to India. Still, As a common knowledge, I have come to know about entry rules they are talking about. I am surprised that the singer or his organizers didn't know about this. It's no use bashing India about it. Once he followed the ruules, he was allowed in.
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Jan 02, 2016 09:09am
The reason given for the rule is not a good one. Surely the govt has a good network to keep track of visitors.
Probably Pakistan has similar rules.
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Jan 02, 2016 02:02pm
Why does India visa application request to know if any member of the applicant family (self, spouse, parents, grandparents, and even great grandparents) were of Pakistan or Bangladesh origin? I am a US citizen of Pakistani origin. II stopped filling out the Indian visa application after finding out such discriminatory request being made by the Indian Immigration office.
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Jan 02, 2016 06:32pm
@raza India still does not have biometric passports while most African countries and Pakistan do have biometric passports which makes monitoring them easier.
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Jan 02, 2016 11:05pm
Pakistan should unilaterally relax visa policy for all Indians. Let them enter and leave as they please and spend quality time in our beautiful country. I'm sure NADRA and the FIA can come up with a system that allows their tracking nationwide in case of law enforcement issues.
Folks, it 2016 and sometimes one has to force their way ahead of history to make a difference.
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Jan 03, 2016 01:36am
@divergence That is not the point. India has laws and Pakistan has similar laws and they should all be followed to the letter. Of course, the laws are silly and should be changed, but as long as they are there, you need to follow them.
And, so does Pakistan, as it should, strongly implement its own visa laws for foreigners. That is a goo thing. It is not about being hospitable. An immigration officer in any civilized country cannot make exceptions to the written rules and he should not be permitted to do so. That is exactly what we need in Pakistan too - clear laws, consistently applied.
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Jan 03, 2016 02:02am
@Sajelid Typical answer from a low IQ chap.
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Jan 03, 2016 02:03am
@Swapnil Well he has lived there longer then he lived in Pakistan.
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Jan 03, 2016 03:27am
@MMM Good Lord! I am so relieved. After all there are so many other countries - why India ? Uh ?
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Jan 03, 2016 12:03pm
What kind of stupid rule this is. In the day and age, India can not network it's immigration system. Hyderabad was the 5th largest city in India. Might have overtaken by Bangalore. India wants to be treated like a first world country. But behaves like a third world country. Only Indian bureaucracy can do this :-). Sorry Rahat, hopefully this kind of experience will not happen in the future. And I must assure there are so many Indians that suffer similar kind of grievances at the hands of Indian bureaucracy.
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Jan 03, 2016 01:54pm
@divergence
A few seconds on Google would have answered your question. From the website of Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan (www.dgip.gov.pk/Files/VisaforIndian.aspx):
"Following are the designated entry/exit check posts for Indian nationals, coming to Pakistan:- i By Air Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad. ii By Sea Karachi. iii By Road Wagha."
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Jan 03, 2016 01:55pm
@Ajmal Paharhi you may be unaware, BUT -
A few seconds on Google would have answered your question. From the website of Directorate General of Immigration & Passports, Ministry of Interior, Government of Pakistan (www.dgip.gov.pk/Files/VisaforIndian.aspx):
"Following are the designated entry/exit check posts for Indian nationals, coming to Pakistan:- i By Air Karachi/Lahore/Islamabad. ii By Sea Karachi. iii By Road Wagha."
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Jan 03, 2016 05:08pm
Rule is Rule why argue?
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