Adnan Sami Reveals Pakistan Refused To Give Him Visa To Attend Mother’s Funeral

Pakistan-born singer and composer, Adnan Sami, became Indian citizen in 2016. In a recent interview, he revealed the reason behind moving to India to build his music career here. The Padma Shri awardee also opened up about not being able to attend his mother Begum Naureen's funeral because Pakistan denied to give him visa after his mother passed away in October, 2024.

Sami told India TV that after his mother's death, Adnan Sami requested both Indian and Pakistani authorities that he wants to visit the country to attend the funeral. Indian authority understood his situation and granted him permission to travel, but Pakistan refused to do.

He shared, "Maine yaha ki sarkaar se pucha main jana chahta hu toh apko koi objection to nahi. Unhone kaha, ‘Zahir hai, aapki maa ka inteqal hua hai, aapko zaroor jana chahiye’. Unki taraf se koi problem nahi tha (When I asked the Indian government that I want to go, do you have any objection? They said, ‘It is obvious, your mother has passed away, you must go’. There was no problem from their side)."

Adnan applied for a visa in Pakistan, and after they refused, he attended the funeral on a video call. "Maine visa ke liye apply kiya, par unhone refuse kar diya. Maine kaha, ‘Meri maa ka inteqal hua hai’. Phir bhi unhone mana kar diya. Main nahi ja saka. Maine unka poora janaza Whatsapp ke video pe dekha (I applied for a visa, but they (Pakistan government) refused. I said, ‘My mother has passed away’. But they refused. I could not go. I saw her entire funeral on a WhatsApp video)," he added.

When Adnan was asked if he took Indian citizenship because he was earning more here than in Pakistan, to which he said it was not because of money. The singer said he was born in a wealthy family and left property worth crores in Pakistan and started afresh in India.

He revealed leaving Pakistani music industry due to the lack of support after his 1998 songs failed to receive marketing and promotion. Sami also recalled moving to India on the advice of  legendary singer Asha Bhosle, who crooned with him songs like Kabhi To Nazar Milao, from his 1997 album Badaltey Mausam.