News Desk |
Indian singer and performer Mika Singh reached Pakistan for religious rituals at Baba Guru Nanak Gurudwara in Nankana Sahib. Mika Singh had arrived in Pakistan on a three-day visit and held a meeting with Pakistani Sikh brothers while also participating at a lunch arranged at Kartarpur.
During his visit, Singh expressed happiness on the construction of the Kartarpur Corridor and said that this step will ease travelling for Sikh people. The singer left for India through Wagah Border on Friday. Several unconfirmed reports asserted that Mika Singh even performed at Kartarpur.
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Pakistan, however, has suspended bus and train services to India, part of Pakistan’s stern response to India’s abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A. The government of Pakistan reiterated that Kartarpur Corridor will remain unaffected and work shall seamlessly progress towards its completion. Kartarpur Corridor is a project initiated by the current government to facilitate Sikh pilgrims, mainly coming from India and worldwide, for various religious rituals. Pakistan said that it respects the sentiments of the Sikh pilgrims and will continue to serve them despite soaring tensions between India and Pakistan.
Social Media Controversy
A controversy erupted on social media when journalists Hamid Mir disclosed that Mika Singh arrived in Pakistan with his 14-team members for a private function hosted by Adnan Asad, nephew of former President of Pakistan General Musharraf. He claims that the wedding performance coincided with India’s abrogation of Article 370 and 35-A. Videos of Mika Singh performing at a wedding ceremony are circulating on social media. The journalists claim Mika Singh came to Pakistan in the second week of August and met several government officials during his visit. It is pertinent to mention that the Indian singer Mika Singh and his team were granted visa on 29th July 2019, just a few days before India revoked Kashmir’s special status.
Yes many people from Karachi called me and asked the same thing that why religion and patriotism is only for the poor? https://t.co/kPfUiuah5X
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) August 10, 2019
Acclaimed Pakistani singer Faakhir Mehmood took to social media and expressed his disillusionment of allowing them to travel to Pakistan when Kashmir is in complete lockdown. He said; “Pakistan welcomes its guests but the government should have charged tax on the income they earn from Pakistan at the same time.” All India Cine Workers Association has placed a ban on Pakistani artists working in the entertainment industry.
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Other social media users, however, advocated people-to-people contact in times of crisis and stated there is nothing wrong if Mika Singh visited Pakistan.