The much-hyped and controversial 'Mika Singh Night' at the plush Karachi bungalow of billionaire businessman Adnan Asad on August 8 had VIP guests which reportedly included family members of India's most wanted fugitive Dawood Ibrahim, who presently operates from Pakistan.
Asad, a cousin of former Pakistan dictator, Gen Pervez Musharraf, had hosted 'Mika Singh Night' on occasion of the 'Mehndi' ceremony of his daughter Scellina, at 23, Beach Avenue, Phase VIII of Defence House Authority (DHA), a place not very far from where D-company members Anees Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel reside in Karachi.
Happy that Indian singer Mika Singh performed at the mehndi of Gen Musharraf's relative recently in Karachi. God for bid if it was Nawaz Sharif's relative it would be raining ghadari k hashtag already. pic.twitter.com/IVfE5hETiz
— Naila Inayat नायला इनायत (@nailainayat) August 10, 2019
A senior journalist associated with a leading Karachi daily told IANS that Asad, a small time tissue paper manufacturer, rose to become a prominent industrialist of Karachi, during his cousin, Gen Musharraf's tenure. Asad has close proximity with top erstwhile cricketers which include now Prime Minister Imran Khan, Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas.
#Asad, a cousin of #GenPervezMusharraf, had hosted '#MikaSinghNight' on occasion of the 'Mehndi' ceremony of his daughter #Scellina, at 23, Beach Avenue, Phase VIII of DHA, a place not very far from where #Dcompany members #AneesIbrahim and #ChhotaShakeel reside in #Karachi. pic.twitter.com/QFPlVHyQLt
— IANS Tweets (@ians_india) August 12, 2019
Due to his closeness to the Prime Minister, Asad succeeded in procuring visas for Mika Singh and his 14-member troupe, and went on to host the Bollywood night on August 8 in Karachi, despite a blanket ban by the Pakistan government on shows performed by any Indian artiste or film personality.
The journalist revealed that besides top bureaucrats, army and police officials, family of star cricketers, including Miandad's, were also invited in the show which began after midnight. Miandad's son Junaid is married to Dawood's daughter Mahrukh.
Kashmir fall by India but in Karachi Indian singer Mika Singh performing
— پھولن دیوی عرف نانی (@PTILahori) August 9, 2019
Visa was issued by #SelectPM intervention #NayaPakistan pic.twitter.com/p04KLwu9UU
Kins of Army are enjoying along with Indian Singer Mika Singh in DHA, Karachi, on revoking of #370 in #Kashmir. I thought trade with India & Indian Films are suspended in #Pakistan. Now Kashmiris have to see this hypocrisy of #PakistanArmy. https://t.co/IZnJKcI4WE
— Arif Aajakia (@arifaajakia) August 10, 2019
The journalist acknowledged Miandad's relations with Dawood Ibrahim but avoided answering any further queries related to whereabouts of D-Company boss or his nexus with the Pakistan establishment.
Owner of the multi-billion Venus Group, Asad's Facebook profile boasts of his closeness with star cricketers and army top brass. Former chief of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Ahmed Shuja Pasha also happens to be on his selective friend list.
During Pasha's tenure as head of the spy agency, ISI-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba carried out the 26/11 Mumbai attack in 2008 in which 174 people, including foreign citizens, were killed and over 300 injured.
A senior journalist associated with a leading #Karachi daily told IANS that #Asad, a small time tissue paper manufacturer, rose to become a prominent industrialist of Karachi, during his cousin, #GenMusharraf's tenure.
— IANS Tweets (@ians_india) August 12, 2019
Photo: IANS pic.twitter.com/EmuAExkv10
About presence of Dawood's daughter and his other family members at 'Mika Night', IANS tried to contact Asad on his landline number in Karachi, but the person receiving the call refused to reveal any information.
Indian intelligence sources in New Delhi did confirm Asad's association with Pakistan army officers and cricketers including Miandad but had no clue about his proximity with Dawood's family members.
Due to Eid holidays, Asad's office at Hawkesbay Road, Mauripur, Karachi seemed to be closed as several phone calls were not responded to.
The Mika night in Karachi went viral on social media on Saturday when some guests leaked video clips on Twitter. On both sides of the border, critics disapproved the entertainment spectacle amid escalating tension between the two countries.
When Pakistan is claiming to break diplomatic 'n' cultural tie with India and stop Bollywood Movies In Pakistan, it couldn’t resist Mika Singh’s performance at Adnan Assad’s daughter’s Mehndi function in Karachi. Adnan Asad is Musharraf's cousin. pic.twitter.com/XVZYnnRwvH
— Jammu-Kashmir Now (@JammuKashmirNow) August 10, 2019
Opposition leader, Syed Khursheed Shah of the Pakistan People's Party, said the government must find out who gave the security clearance and visas to Mika Singh to visit Pakistan at a time when the country had suspended diplomatic and trade relations with India.
On the Indian front, journalists and politicians across both sides of the divide, pulled up the Indian singer for choosing a wrong venue and date to perform.
Visa issued on July 29,19 to Ind singer Mika Singh & 14 others valid fr 30 days, He met some top PTI officials in Pak_ then performed in Karachi on8 August. The event happened on the day when Parliament was discussing Indian atrocities
— Faisal (@FaisalViewss) August 11, 2019
in Kashmir.#کشمیر_سے_غداری_نامنظور pic.twitter.com/zWTzMokUke
While I was protesting for our Kashmiri Brethren yesterday in the scorching heat in #Houston Texas in front of the #indianConsulate @MikaSingh was Performing in Karachi #Pakistan .#Reality #Fact #Shame pic.twitter.com/hD7tufrvtV
— Irum Azeem Farooque (@Irumf) August 10, 2019
First arrested #MaryamNawaz to divert #Kashmir issue, Stoppd Samjhota Express, ban Indian Channels, showing Cheap stunts, what about this Dance Dance Dance performance in Karachi by BOLLYWOOD star Singer @MikaSingh. Who ever allowed him. Is this #NayaPakistan gift to Kashmiries? pic.twitter.com/NiAiD8jfaB
— Khalik kohistani (@KhalikKohistani) August 10, 2019
Kashmir fall is bigger than fall of Dhaka by India but in Karachi Indian singer Mika Singh was paid 2 million Dollars to play at Musharraf's cousin Adnan Asad’s daughter’s mehndi function. Seecurity by Imran Khan’s PTI. That day 52 Kashmiris were killed by India. Naya Pakistan pic.twitter.com/wKGQADh15E
— زبانِ خلق (@CivilSupermacy) August 9, 2019
It was lovely meeting #MikaSingh in Karachi 🇵🇰 . @MikaSingh @pid_gov pic.twitter.com/XBMRMTPili
— Samir Mir Shaikh (@samirmir) August 9, 2019