King Charles’ charity cuts ties with Pakistani singer who attacked man in viral video

The British Asian Trust, started in 2007 to fight poverty in South Asia, has denounced Khan’s actions and ‘ceased any association’ with him

The incident took place in Texas last year after the singer vented his fury at his student for misplacing a bottle containing water from a spiritual leader

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Pakistani singer Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan performs at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert at the Oslo spectrum in 2014. Khan, one of the iconic singers of qawwali, a form of devotional music popular in Pakistan and beyond, was appointed as the trust’s ambassador by King Charles in 2017. Photo: AFP

Published: 7:38pm, 31 Jan 2024

A charity founded by Britain’s King Charles has cut its ties with renowned Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan after a video of him violently attacking a man went viral on social media.

The British Asian Trust, started in 2007 to fight poverty in South Asia, denounced Khan’s actions, saying “we take all accusations of abuse seriously and we will look into this urgently”.

“The British Asian Trust has a strict policy towards abusive behaviour and has ceased any association with Mr Khan. We strongly condemn any form of violence, whatever the circumstances,” the institution said over the weekend.

Khan, one of the iconic singers of qawwali, a form of devotional music popular in Pakistan and beyond, was appointed as the trust’s ambassador by Charles in 2017.

In the video that appeared to be secretly filmed, Khan was seen slapping and kicking a person, who he later revealed as his student Naveed Husnain.

The incident took place in Texas last year after the singer vented his fury at Husnain for misplacing a bottle containing water that was given to him by a spiritual leader, The News International reported.

Breaking his silence on the incident, Khan said it was an “internal” matter between him and his student.