Pakistani singer Adnan Sami Khan granted Indian citizenship

The Indian government has decided to grant Indian citizenship to Pakistani singer Adnan Sami Khan, Indian media reported on Thursday.

Sami's citizenship will come into effect from January 1, 2016, said the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement.

According to Indian media reports, Sami will be given Indian citizenship under Section 6 of the Indian Citizenship Act, 1955.

The law allows citizenship through a certificate of naturalisation to applicants with distinguished contribution in the field of science, philosophy, art, literature, world peace or human progress, Rediff reported.

Sami has been living in India since 2001, and was granted the right to stay in India on humanitarian grounds after his Pakistani passport expired earlier this year. Sami did not renew his Pakistani passport.