ISLAMABAD, 19 May 2006 — Veteran Indian actor Feroz Khan was banned by Pakistan yesterday from returning to Pakistan after officials said he had insulted the country during a visit to promote a film.
Interior Ministry officials said the president’s directive had been sent to all the airports, seaports and railway stations not to allow entry to Feroz to Pakistan. The directive has also been sent to all the Pakistan’s embassies and consulates directing them not to grant visa to Feroz Khan.
President Musharraf took this decision after receiving a report from Dubai where actor Feroz Khan was a guest and the show was being anchored by Pakistani singer and actor Fakhar-e-Aalam. It was reported that the actor criticized the two-nation theory when he was called on to the dais.
Feroze had also said Muslims were better off in India than in Pakistan at a show business function in Lahore last month to promote the Bollywood epic, Taj Mahal, produced and directed by his brother.
“He abused our hospitality. He made derogatory remarks, which are unacceptable,” said Tasnim Aslam, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.
A senior official, who requested anonymity said President Pervez Musharraf had personally ordered the ban.
Last month, Taj Mahal and a 1960s classic, Mughal-e-Azam, were screened in Pakistani cinemas after Musharraf granted special permission, relaxing a long standing ban on Indian films. Taj Mahal, which like Mughal-e-Azam harked back to a time when Muslims ruled the subcontinent, received a lukewarm response at the box office.
— Additional input from agencies.
