Salma Agha seeks ‘Overseas Citizen of India’ card

NEW DELHI: After Pakistani-origin singer Adnan Sami was granted Indian citizenship in January, Pakistan-born actor-singer Salma Agha has applied for an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card, and her application is being considered by the Ministry of Home Affairs, The Indian Express reported Tuesday.

An OCI card allows its holder multiple entries, multipurpose lifelong visa to visit India and exemption from reporting to police authorities for any length of stay in the country.

“The home ministry is examining her request. A decision will be taken soon,” a home ministry source said.

Born in Pakistan, Agha is a UK citizen. She has acted in and lent her voice to some Bollywood films such as the 1982-release Nikaah.

As per rules, no person whose parents, grandparents or great grandparents, is or had been a citizen of Pakistan and Bangladesh shall be eligible for registration as an Overseas Citizen of India card holder.

Pakistani singer Adnan Sami was in January this year given Indian citizenship. Among others who have been staying in India and working on employment visa are Katrina Kaif (UK citizen) Deepti Naval (US citizen) and Yana Gupta (Czech citizen).

Salma Agha born to a wealthy father in Karachi moved to London at age 9. She was married to a prominent Pakistani settled in London at age 16. A divorce soon followed.

When the music directors heard Salma’s ABBA hits they signed her on to sing her own playback songs.

The movie Nikah went on to be a huge success and is considered a classic.