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HomeNationIt’s ‘tolerance’ row, why Pak denies visa to me: Anupam Kher

It’s ‘tolerance’ row, why Pak denies visa to me: Anupam Kher

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Anupam Kher, on Tuesday submitted a 100-page proof that he was ready with all the necessary documents regarding a visa to Pakistan – to attend the Karachi Literature Festival on February 5 – but was barred by the Pak officials.

Anupam Kher2

Shortly before the press conference commenced, Kher shared the invitation letter from Director of Karachi Litfest on his Twitter page.

At the conference, Kher said that two months ago he received an invitation from the Karachi Litfest. However, after PM Narendra Modi visited Lahore, he was convinced that he should attend the Litfest.

“I did not personally ask for a visa, the organisers of Karachi Literature Festival did. For last 15 days, all my visa documents are ready. The organiser of the Karachi litfest said that Governmentt officials told her that don’t invite Anupam Kher. I don’t know why,” said Kher.

“I am not angry at anyone, I am hurt and saddened,” Kher said.

Kher claims only he has been singled out of the 18 delegates who applied for the visa. “I am very sad and disappointed that out of 18 participants, 17 were given visa and I was denied,” Kher said.

“Have been informed that Pakistan MoFA has denied permission for my visa to participate in the Karachi Literature festival. Sad to have been denied visa on second time in a year, while around 17 people will participate in the Karachi Literature Festival as guests,” Anupam had tweeted earlier.

It was in May last year that the actor was first denied a visa to Pakistan. He was due to visit Lahore for an event hosted by an NGO, but according to reports, back then it was denied on security grounds.

This time, he was invited as a guest at the three-day Karachi Literature Festival, which begins on Friday. Among the Indians who will be present at the literature festival are Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, Rahul Singh, Om Arora, Urvashi Butalia and Ashok Chopra.

Upset about the visa denial, Kher tweeted: “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? Indian government welcomes Pakistan based writers, artists, actors etc. Pakistan government bans entry of Indian actors. Why fear a free dialogue,” he tweeted.

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