Fakhre Alam detained at Russian airport for arriving with an expired visa
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Singer and television anchor Fakhre Alam was detained at the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport in Russia after he landed in the country with an expired visa, it emerged on Monday.
Alam, who earlier this month embarked on a journey to fly around the world in 28 days, told actor Faysal Quraishi that he arrived in Russia two hours after the expiration of his visa, following which he was taken into custody by local authorities.
In a message — posted by the actor on the singer's behalf — Alam said that he was being held "in a room without food or water", and claimed that his phone was confiscated by the Russian authorities for six hours.
Alam further said that the Russian authorities were insisting that he flies back to Japan, adding that that was not possible as he only had a single-entry visa. He appealed the government to help him as he did not "want to give up Mission Parwaaz".
"I need Pakistan's support to carry on our flag to finish this," Alam said in his message. "I need help."
The Foreign Office took notice of Alam's detention and said that "they were looking into the matter".
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) tweeted that Alam is fine and will continue towards his destination from Russia.
FO spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said that the ambassador in Moscow has spoken to Alam. "He is also in touch with local authorities. Problem will hopefully be resolved soon," said Faisal via Twitter.
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On DawnNews
Oct 29, 2018 01:38pm
He should remain detained, there are certain rules and regulations that should be followed. You can't possibly fly any where you like without documents to break records. Procedures need to be followed and the government should let him stay in Russia for some time to teach him a lesson regarding laws.
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Oct 29, 2018 01:41pm
This guy is a disgrace for nation. Let him remain where he is.
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Oct 29, 2018 01:43pm
Simply, he should have ensured (before flying) that valid visas of all visiting countries were up-to-date and valid. Like we all do before making a visit to another country - now this mishap will create unnecessary publicity and inconvenience for Pakistan - why we are careless?
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Oct 29, 2018 01:44pm
All the best to the aviator.
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Oct 29, 2018 01:44pm
World tour on a Pakistani passport is a real challenge!!
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Oct 29, 2018 01:45pm
@Aravind and how did u arrive at that conclusion?
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Oct 29, 2018 01:47pm
The Pakistani govt should get in touch with their Russain counterparts to stamp him a new visa. It's not like Fakhar-e-Alam is trying to sneak into Russia with an expensive plane and two other helper pilots on board. Besides, who in their right mind would ever want to sneak into a country like Russia?
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Oct 29, 2018 01:51pm
We hope that FO will soon sort out the issue, stay strong FA.
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Oct 29, 2018 01:56pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani As I understand from the story, he arrived 2 hours after midnight and visa expired on the previous day. While you are flying on your own, we can expect that he arrived bit later than he planned.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:02pm
Why did he go there with an expired visa?
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Oct 29, 2018 02:04pm
You arrive in a country without a visa and then complain?
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Oct 29, 2018 02:07pm
whats the point of touching every airport with plane? what will world get from you roaming around with no purpose? how would that make Pakistan proud? i don't get it what is he upto
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Oct 29, 2018 02:07pm
IN my opinion you're burning fuel worth thousands ($). This money could have been used to help people in need of food and basic necessities of life around the world.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:09pm
Not a big issue it's not a crime.
Pak embassy will have him released very shortly.
Now the situation is very different as PM is IK and Russia is now part of Pak - China - Russia super alliance.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:16pm
Best of luck man, well wishes and swift continuation of journey.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:20pm
Yes, he should be careful and should not waste the Pakistani government time on his carelessness in future. Celebrities, oh well. There are more pressing cases than him.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:28pm
He has always pursued personal glory and not that of Pakistan. He needs to be penalized for violating the rules and regulation of a country by arrivng there with expired visa. he lives in Dubai and must be fully aware on how rules over rule your conveniences and violations
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Oct 29, 2018 02:38pm
Who told you to travel on a expired visa. Come back
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Oct 29, 2018 02:45pm
@Spicy “Now situation is very different. Russia is part of Pakistan-China-Russia super allaince”.
There is no such allaince. Russia doesnt sell combat arms to Pakistan. But Russia sells s400, nuclear power, submarines to India, latest being last week and called it its ally since 72 yrs.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:46pm
Knowingly going on an expired visa and now this hue n cry. Seems nothing but a cheap a publicity stunt.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:52pm
@Aravind Its not nice to say bad things about a person who is in need of help.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:53pm
@Irfan It expired only 2 hours before he landed.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:53pm
What a stupid man. Ur going to tour world in 28 days with expire, single entry and visa which is expiring with in hour... Such a stupid man ur. Russia plz keep him behind bars so he'll learn lesson.
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Oct 29, 2018 02:53pm
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad His visa was valid when he took-off
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Oct 29, 2018 02:54pm
Best wishes. Hope you accomplish your mission and make Pakistan proud.
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Oct 29, 2018 03:05pm
@yasiry2j what is the purpose of climbing mount everest or be the fastest swimmer or dive the deepest or.... you got my point.
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Oct 29, 2018 03:17pm
He should have researched before starting this mission.
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Oct 29, 2018 03:20pm
Why so much hate here for this poor fellow ?
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Oct 29, 2018 03:23pm
The visa is already issued to him just a while ago.
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Oct 29, 2018 03:29pm
He didn't properly do his Risk Management. Lesson for all you guys, plan properly, identify the risks and the proper mitigation plan.
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Oct 29, 2018 04:07pm
Dont let him come back
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Oct 29, 2018 04:14pm
World tour on a plane for self enjoyment and footing the bill on Pakistani nation. These cheap publicity seeker never change. People are dying for everyday breed and butter and he is tarnishing the reputation of Pakistan in the world.
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Oct 29, 2018 04:41pm
You should have ensured all obligations before undertaking your personal pursuit. Why drag others into your own ill preparedness? Why should others NOT follow their rules b/c you did not take care of your responsibilities?
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Oct 29, 2018 05:17pm
This modern Marco polo must be detained in Russia for a period of at least few years. He must learn norms and principles of entering in a country.
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Oct 29, 2018 05:33pm
Guys hold your comments when you don't know the facts. He encountered very strong head winds evading a typhoon on the way, hence being two hours late. We should be thankful he landed safely, just imagine the turbulence his small aircraft encountered and he is now encountering petty and ill-informed gossip in the media.
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Oct 29, 2018 05:54pm
@Omer. Yes indeed. He should be given an extra medal for that.
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Oct 29, 2018 06:00pm
Bad planing !
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Oct 29, 2018 06:03pm
@Aravind, does Mr Fakhar owe you some money or what? Or you are one of those Indians trolls?
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Oct 29, 2018 06:09pm
@SDA : Govt. of Russia is not responsible: on arrival the visa must be valid : if you have visa but not valid is useless: e.g: I have valid visa starting from November 1: but arrive on October 31 : not good enough: still violating the law : just like you cannot tender cancel currency notes : oh it used to be valid! No baby no !
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Oct 29, 2018 06:14pm
He must be flying without any planning,
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Oct 29, 2018 06:38pm
@Omer . If he reaches a country after his visa had expired he is at fault and don’t come up with excuses by stating he was two hours late etc. He needs to learn to play by the rules
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Oct 29, 2018 06:52pm
You can't en cash your celebrity status every where. That's Russia not South Asia.
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Oct 29, 2018 06:55pm
We all get spoiled in Pakistan, where rules can be bent, it doesn’t work like that in modern civilized world.
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Oct 29, 2018 07:04pm
@Aravind who knows better than you with first hand experience!
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Oct 29, 2018 07:26pm
@Aravind Why, what has be done other then making Pak proud?
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Oct 29, 2018 07:38pm
He should know power of Pakistani passport
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Oct 29, 2018 07:47pm
Why Russia issuing such a tight dated Visa. An airline pilot from Russia could be detained in new York for arriving late???
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Oct 29, 2018 07:48pm
Why can't people read the whole article and not be assumptive on he headline alone? His visa expired while he was still in the air. So how would he validate it, geniuses?
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Oct 29, 2018 07:51pm
Why do people waste time on such fruitless excercises.They purposely create controversy because the purpose is publicity.
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Oct 29, 2018 08:19pm
Same to old story; soft corner for powerful. Why and why FO office spokesperson commenting; such a shame. We can not move on with this lawlessness and undue privilege. And he is not what he pretends; just ask someone who worked for his firm 'creative factor'.
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Oct 29, 2018 08:22pm
@yasiry2j we copy developed countries but seldom for creativity or some thing beneficial
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Oct 29, 2018 08:27pm
@yasiry2j he will collect treasures from around the world and distribute them to the poor on his return.
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Oct 29, 2018 08:29pm
The flier is having time of his life. He will remember these through out his life.
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Oct 29, 2018 08:39pm
@Omer
Really?
Even if he landed before midnight.. and allowed to land....
What would happen at midnight?
Deport then?
Thatswhy 3 months of valid visa is minimal requirement.
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Oct 29, 2018 08:48pm
On March 16, 2016 Russians deported over 100 Pakistanis with proper documents and visas issue from Islamabad. It was unprecedented. No reason or apology was given. Russian do not honor their own visas when it comes to Pakistan.
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Oct 29, 2018 08:55pm
That’s why I only travel only to friendly countries like China, Saudi, UAE and Malaysia. These countries respect Pakistan passport and the rest treat us badly
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Oct 29, 2018 08:58pm
It's a well known fact amongst frequent travellers that the Russians still think they are in the Cold War era. Their immigration rules are atrocious, even with so-called friendly countries. Only the truly clueless or those with absolutely no other option will fly through Russia. Best wishes to the aviator.
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Oct 29, 2018 09:01pm
Another Pakistani asking that the rules be relaxed for him.
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Oct 29, 2018 09:22pm
@malikimran maybe you can stop using the internet you used to post this message and use tgat money to provide basic needs to the suffering humanity.
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Oct 29, 2018 09:33pm
@Tiqbal flights get delayed, normally its allowed for pilots
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Oct 29, 2018 09:35pm
Now FO is serving the people. Good wishes and prayers to Fakhre Alam to complete his mission.
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Oct 29, 2018 09:52pm
Too bad! he was not an American or a European deserving a heroic act!
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Oct 29, 2018 10:00pm
@SDA it wasn’t valid when he landed.
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Oct 29, 2018 10:04pm
@Chacha Jee just getting a VISA doesn’t guarantee you an entry into the country. Ask our Pakistani brothers who are denied entry into US and Europe.
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Oct 29, 2018 10:17pm
He is traveling with expired Visa. Who give him the aircraft to fly. Please help him and keep him detain.
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Oct 29, 2018 11:21pm
Correctly detained.
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Oct 30, 2018 12:02am
I hope our Gov. Will help him. He is doing something good and he will be first Pakistani.
We must support him.
My best wishes are with you.
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Oct 30, 2018 12:28am
May be Russia charge visa fee hourly so he took permit for a few hour stay which expired before his arrival?
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Oct 30, 2018 12:54am
@Arjun ..well said. You are absolutely right.
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Oct 30, 2018 01:39am
@Tiqbal very well said
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Oct 30, 2018 03:06am
Pretty ridiculous, how do you start to fly around the world in 28 days without making sure your paperwork is in order.
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Oct 30, 2018 06:14am
Brother Russians are nice people, but you should have also followed rules, in your case clearly you have should have resolve your visa situation before embarking on the journey. I'm a mbbs student in Russia, not once I had any problem with Russian Authorities. As long you follow the rules, you will be fine at least for foreign nationals, locals can break more rules and still won't get in trouble they get a bit lack attitude from the Russian authorities, not to mention Russia has problems with corruption like Pakistan but a way less. What can I say it's their nation and I'm glad that they are giving me a chance to become a doctor. Good luck flying.
Shazad
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Oct 30, 2018 06:32am
@Tiqbal .. Bro u really need some help .... Do u know the reason why he was 2 hr late ?
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Oct 30, 2018 06:33am
@Aravind What he did with u or Pakistan ?
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Oct 30, 2018 07:10am
Note that no mention of when Russian Visa was acquired, along with dates it would be valid!
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Oct 30, 2018 01:05pm
With Pakistan's titanium friend this shouldn't be happening.
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Oct 30, 2018 03:53pm
Stop this ridiculous request for help. Just get back home. End of.
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Oct 30, 2018 06:59pm
@Tiqbal It is very hard to go on journey like this and very hard to make sure everything works according to plan. On YouTube there is another series helicopter world tour. You can how Russian handles the situation. I am with Fakhr e Alam on this.
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Oct 30, 2018 07:03pm
@Aravind how is he disgrace? Somone trying to do something new life is not a disgrace. It is difficult thing to achieve. But how could you know.
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Oct 30, 2018 07:25pm
The russians thought that he was there to seek asylum.
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Oct 30, 2018 08:27pm
A lot of people are commenting without reading the article. His visa was expired 2 hours earlier than his arrival at Russia Airport. how on the earth this is a disgrace for a nation? Mistakes happen, he did no realize that his visa would expire in 2 hours or even if he did, he couldnt able to turn back to japan. He had no choice but to land there with the hope that they may grant him entry upon arrival .
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Oct 30, 2018 10:28pm
Pakistani embassy should immediately spend all its resources on helping this guy complete his mission. He is making Pakistan proud.
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Oct 30, 2018 10:47pm
I am surprised that a well educated person from Pakistan didn't know that his Visa about to expire? These are the some very basic things which every traveller checks before travelling abroad.
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Oct 30, 2018 10:51pm
@Spicy.Do not be so sure.
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Oct 30, 2018 10:55pm
@SDA.Have you ever travelled with a visa which is about to expire?
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Oct 30, 2018 11:04pm
@KHAWAJA. No excuse sir.He still landed without a valid visa and let the Russian authorities deal with he matter.
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Oct 31, 2018 01:30am
I have overstayed my visa in two countries on two different occasions by two different lengths of time. Was I stopped for questioning? Yes, polite questioning! Detention? No, they didn't feel the need to detain a civilian overshooting his visa due to circumstances. I was allowed to resume my travel without any annoying delays.
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Oct 31, 2018 04:12am
Come on negative ppl
Visa out of date by 2 hrs!! Give him a break
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Oct 31, 2018 06:43am
What is not understandable is the lack of preparation. This after all is an expensive journey, Fakhre Alam should have ensured visas for each destination in the itinerary and keep room for contingencies. This is very poor planning and then hoping state department will bail him out.
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Oct 31, 2018 06:50am
Why do Pakistanis around the world end up getting themselves in a sticky situation?
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Oct 31, 2018 07:02am
@Chinpaksaddique. You forgot to add Turkey among the countries that will accept green passport.
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Oct 31, 2018 07:53am
Strange that Pakistan security and airliner allowed him to board a plane in the first place! Further how he managed to get visa in expired passport? In general no country issues visa when passport validity is left only six months!
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Oct 31, 2018 08:42am
So he didn't know his visa will get expired the moment he reaches Russia ? So he didn't plan well and its not Russia fault, he has to get things sorted out before he could have done that. Russia not being the best of Pakistan allies would make sure it difficult for Pakistanis to reach there. So much to pay for being an ally to double faced US.
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Oct 31, 2018 11:39am
Poor FakhreAlam, no style and no substance
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Oct 31, 2018 01:45pm
With only 100 hours of flying under his belt, what is the great urgency to go for this record!
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