Adnan Sami gets Indian citizenship  

NEW DELHI: Indian Ministry of Home Affairs has granted Indian citizenship to Pakistan singer Adnan Sami.

Indian media reported that Adnan Sami has been granted citizenship with effect from January 1, 2016.

Lahore-born Adnan was granted citizenship following his appeal to legalise his stay in India. He had submitted a representation to the Indian Home Ministry on May 26, 2015.

According to media reports, Sami will be given Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

The law allows citizenship through a certificate of naturalisation to applicants with distinguished contribution in the field of science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace or human progress.

Sami has been staying in India since 2001. He was granted the right to stay in India on humanitarian grounds after his Pakistani passport expired earlier this year. Sami did not renew his Pakistani passport.