Pakistan's iconic singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan's detention in India for alleged possession of undeclared foreign currency is being seen by some in Pakistan as stemming from "professional jealousy" and his success in Bollywood.
Khan was released after being detained at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi along with some members of his entourage for over 20 hours for carrying 1.24 lakh dollars. The news of his detention dominated the Pakistani media and many people expressed their happiness when he was eventually released on Monday.
"Back home, people say that the singer has been given a raw deal," The Express Tribune newspaper reported.
The report quoted Pakistani singers and actors as unanimously condemning Khan's detention. They contended that Khan had not snatched the money "from anyone but had actually earned it after doing nearly 12 shows in India".
"Many Pakistanis believe that Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has been trapped by a certain lobby in India (in a move) that stems from professional jealousy because the singer has been doing so well in Bollywood, especially with the recent awards he received at the Filmfare Awards," the report said.
Law Minister Babar Awan, a confidant of President Asif Ali Zardari, took a dig at India, saying that Khan's detention had proved that love songs were meant for singing and no one could eliminate the partition of India through songs.
Law Minister Babar Awan, a confidant of President Asif Ali Zardari, took a dig at India, saying that Khan's detention had proved that love songs were meant for singing and no one could eliminate the partition of India through songs.