Adnan Sami reveals why he chose Indian citizenship

Mumbai: Pakistani-born singer Adnan Sami has, after nearly a decade, publicly explained why he renounced Pakistani citizenship and became an Indian national.

Speaking on the Indian TV show “Aap Ki Adalat”, Sami revealed that his Pakistani passport expired in 2005, and despite applying for a renewal at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi, his request was denied. He claims this was due to a miscommunication — then-President Pervez Musharraf had been mistakenly informed that Sami had already gained Indian citizenship.

Following that, he says, the Pakistani government adopted a hostile stance, and a senior official even warned him against returning to Pakistan, hinting at serious consequences.

In light of these events, Sami approached the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs, applied for a visa extension, and later, Indian citizenship, which was initially rejected twice. However, in 2015, he was granted Indian nationality under Section 6 of the Indian Citizenship Act 1955, which allows the government to naturalise individuals with exceptional contributions in fields like art, science, or sports.

Sami stated that India valued his musical contributions, while in Pakistan, he never received a state award or official recognition. He also denied accusations of financial motivation, saying he left behind property worth crores in Pakistan and rebuilt his life and career in India.

While he was critical of the Pakistani government and its treatment of artists, he did express appreciation for the love and respect he received from the Pakistani public.