In addition to that, while singers Shafaqat Amanat Ali’s manager and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s manager demanded Rs 35 lakhs and Rs 65 lakhs respectively, the former’s contract showed just Rs 8 lakhs and Rs 23 lakhs respectively, including taxes. Not to forget, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was also detained at IGI airport in February 2011 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence against carrying around Rs 60 lakh in his bag. He was only released only after he agreed to pay a huge penalty.
Talking about Imran Abbas who was recently seen in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil as Lisa Haydon’s boyfriend, his manager again demanded Rs 35 lakhs for a performance with Rs 32 lakhs to be paid in black while the contract was to reflect a fee of just Rs 3 lakhs. Similarly, even Mawara Hocance’s Pakistan-based manager demanded Rs 50 lakhs for a two-hour appearance and asked for Rs 25 lakhs in cash to be paid to her contact in Mumbai; while the rest of the amount was to be transferred to Hocane’s Australian bank account.
Given that all the Pakistani artists come to India on a work permit obtained through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for professional engagement, these activities only violate statutory laws. In fact, this insistence for payment in black money also violates Service Tax and Income Tax laws.
