Adnan Sami says he couldn't attend mother's funeral due to Pakistan's visa denial

Pakistani-origin singer and composer Adnan Sami, who embraced Indian citizenship and renounced his Pakistani citizenship in 2016 due to his political views, revealed in a recent television interview that Pakistan denied him a visa to attend his mother’s funeral, despite India granting him permission to visit in 2024.

The Indian Express, referring to an interview he gave to India TV, reported that Adnan Sami's mother, Begum Naureen, passed away unexpectedly, and that he could not attend the funeral due to the visa denial by Pakistani authorities.

Sami, who was born in London and raised in a prominent Pakistani family, had hoped to pay his final respects to his mother in Pakistan. The singer shared that he was left to witness his mother’s funeral only through a WhatsApp video, which caused him great emotional distress.

Sami also opened up about his decision to take Indian citizenship, citing the political climate in Pakistan and the challenges he faced. Despite having a family and property in Pakistan, he emphasised that his move to India wasn’t driven by financial reasons but by the desire to grow artistically.

Sami pointed out that he left behind significant assets in Pakistan to start anew in India, where he felt more connected with his audience and career opportunities.

The singer, who first gained fame in India with the hit song "Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao" alongside Asha Bhosle, has frequently discussed how the socio-political environment in Pakistan influenced his decision to move.