Anupam Kher lashes out at Pakistan govt after visa refusal
Veteran Bollywood actor was denied a visa to visit the country to attend the Karachi Literature Festival
PHOTO: AFP
Veteran Bollywood actor Anupam Kher lashed out at Pakistani government after he was rejected a visa to the country to attend the Karachi Literature Festival.
The actor was due to travel to Pakistan to attend the Karachi Literature Festival starting from February 5, according to CNN-IBN News. "Of 18 people, 17 granted visa except me," the actor told the newspaper.
Anupam Kher denied Pakistani visa due to security reasons
However, the report added that a source in the Pakistan High Commission said that Kher has not even applied for a visa.
Soon after, the actor took to Twitter to question as to why he was denied a visa for a second time in a row.
"Have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival," he said in a tweet.
"Has my visa been denied because I speak about India's rich tradition of tolerance or I am a Kashmiri Pandit who may expose Pak terror nexus?" Kher questioned.
"Didn't Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs red flag my name to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi? Why hide facts deliberately?" he further asked.
"I feel bad for all those people who were looking forward to meet me in Pakistan and vice versa. Sorry to them. Hopefully one day...," he added.
The actor further said that he will be presenting all proofs and documents to prove Pakistan High Commission's lie that he didn't apply for visa and announced a press conference at his school.
Last year in May, the actor was also denied a Pakistani visa. According to a report, an NGO had invited the seasoned actor to attend an event in Lahore, to which he had agreed. However, the Pakistani embassy denied him a visa, citing security reasons.
Kher has been on the forefront of the ‘anti-intolerance’ debate in India of late.
On its seventh leg of journey, KLF to award Urdu fiction, non-fiction works
The annual Karachi Literature Festival is all set to kick off from February 5. This year, the literary festival promises to bring together 262 speakers, including 38 who will be flying in from outside the country. There will be 100 sessions spread over three days, ending February 7. Eight countries will be represented and 21 books will be launched.
The actor was due to travel to Pakistan to attend the Karachi Literature Festival starting from February 5, according to CNN-IBN News. "Of 18 people, 17 granted visa except me," the actor told the newspaper.
Anupam Kher denied Pakistani visa due to security reasons
However, the report added that a source in the Pakistan High Commission said that Kher has not even applied for a visa.
Soon after, the actor took to Twitter to question as to why he was denied a visa for a second time in a row.
"Have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival," he said in a tweet.
"Has my visa been denied because I speak about India's rich tradition of tolerance or I am a Kashmiri Pandit who may expose Pak terror nexus?" Kher questioned.
"Didn't Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs red flag my name to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi? Why hide facts deliberately?" he further asked.
"I feel bad for all those people who were looking forward to meet me in Pakistan and vice versa. Sorry to them. Hopefully one day...," he added.
The actor further said that he will be presenting all proofs and documents to prove Pakistan High Commission's lie that he didn't apply for visa and announced a press conference at his school.
Last year in May, the actor was also denied a Pakistani visa. According to a report, an NGO had invited the seasoned actor to attend an event in Lahore, to which he had agreed. However, the Pakistani embassy denied him a visa, citing security reasons.
Kher has been on the forefront of the ‘anti-intolerance’ debate in India of late.
On its seventh leg of journey, KLF to award Urdu fiction, non-fiction works
The annual Karachi Literature Festival is all set to kick off from February 5. This year, the literary festival promises to bring together 262 speakers, including 38 who will be flying in from outside the country. There will be 100 sessions spread over three days, ending February 7. Eight countries will be represented and 21 books will be launched.