Pak steps up efforts for release of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan

Rezaul H Laskar

Islamabad, Feb 14 (PTI) Pakistan today stepped upefforts for the release of noted singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan,who has been detained in India for possessing a large amountof undeclared foreign currency, according to media reports.

Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir has contacted theIndian High Commissioner in Islamabad to discuss Khan''s case,Geo News channel reported.

The Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi has set upa special team to liaise with the Directorate of RevenueIntelligence, which has detained Khan, the channel reported.

There was no official word from the Foreign Office orthe Indian High Commission on the matter.

The 37-year-old nephew of legendary Pakistani qawwalisinger Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was detained at the Indira GandhiInternational Airport yesterday on the charge that he wascarrying USD 124,000 that he had not declared.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said last night he wasexamining the matter and had directed Pakistan''s HighCommissioner to India Shahid Malik last night to inquire aboutKhan�s detention.

The news of Khan''s detention was carried on the frontpages of most Pakistani dailies and dominated bulletins onnews channels.