Fakhr-e-Alam detained at Russian airport as visa expires

MOSCOW: Pop singer Fakhr-e-Alam, who is on a mission to become the first Pakistani to circumnavigate the world in 28 days, was detained by Russian authorities at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport after his visa expired. 

The singer said his visa expired as his flight got delayed. Subsequently, the Russian authorities detained him at the airport, he added.

He appealed to the government of Pakistan and the Pakistani embassy in Moscow to help secure his release so that he could continue his journey to Alaska. He said he don’t want to end his Mission Parwaaz.

Famous TV actor Faisal Qureshi in a Facebook post wrote: “Message from Fakhre Alam … Bro please tweet on my behalf. I am being detained at Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk airport because my visa expired 2 hours [ago] and date changed. They are forcing me to turn back to Japan. I cannot go to Japan because I had single entry visa. I appeal to the Pak[istan] govt to request Russian government to allow me to continue my journey to Alaska. I don’t want to give up Mission Parwaaz. I need Pakistan’s support to carry on our flag to finish this. I have been in a room without food or water. No Wi-Fi. They didn’t give me my phone for six hours. I NEED HELP .”

The 46-year-old singer began his mission earlier this month to travel around the world in 28 days.

Meanwhile, the Foreign Office said in a statement that the Pakistani mission in Moscow is looking into the matter and taking measures for its early resolution.

In a tweet before taking off for Russia from Japan, Alam said: “Thank you yaar means a lot…it’s 4am here in Nagoya JAPAN I take off in about one hour…next 48 hours are most critical for me & #MissionParwaaz as I attempt the North Pacific Crossing from Russia into Alaska.”

Globie and I have arrived safely to Nagoya, #Japan a country I so love visiting…what a great society… #MissionParwaaz pic.twitter.com/vYtfVOLstB

— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) October 28, 2018