Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan deported from Hyderabad over ‘technical flaws’
Acclaimed Pakistani singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was barred entry and asked to return to Abu Dhabi from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.
The incident took place on Thursday morning, when the celebrated singer flew in to the city to perform at a New Year eve event at the Taj Falaknuma Palace, reports the Times of India.
The immigration department later explained that the deportation was due to "technical flaws".
According to immigration rules of India, Pakistani nationals can't enter through Hyderabad; as the legal ports of entry by air are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.
"Because he tried to enter through Hyderabad, which is in breach of immigration rules of the country, the singer was asked to return to Abu Dhabi and re-enter through the valid entry points," the official said.
"If a Pakistani national enters through any other airport, except the four metros, his/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." He added.
However, the immigration officials have refrained from confirming the assertions and rather alleged that they noticed a violation of rule in the travel papers that led to the singer’s deportation.
"There was a technical issue with his documentation and he was deported to Abu Dhabi on the same flight," TOI reports, quoting an immigration official.
Due to the deportation, his performance scheduled for 8 pm was rescheduled for 11 pm, a member of the event organizing team confirmed the TOI.
The Sufi music event at the Falaknuma Palace was designed to promote harmony through Hyderabad's heritage and culture.
Further investigation revealed that soon after news of the singer's deportation spread, the event organizers managed to obtain a clearance from the concerned departments, including the ministry of home affairs, making it possible for the singer to return to Hyderabad, reports TOI
Sources say Rahat Fateh Ali took a flight to Delhi from Abu Dhabi on Thursday evening and later boarded a chartered flight to RGI Airport from the national capital.