Government grants Indian citizenship to Adnan Sami

Pakistani singer Adnan Sami has been granted Indian citizenship with effect from January 1 following his request to the Centre to legalise his status in the country on humanitarian grounds.

As of today, Sami is on a three-month visa extension which was given to him on October 6 by the Ministry.

The 46-year-old singer, who has made India his second home for the past few years, made a representation to the Home Ministry on May 26, requesting 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 led him to approach the Indian government with the request to legalise his stay in India on humanitarian grounds.

Sami's two songs from his album, Kabhi To Nazar Milao and Lift Karaa De which featured Govinda, were a sensation in the early 2000s.

This year the singer tasted success after his song Bhar do jholi meri from Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan turned out to be a smash hit.