Border at Wagah Remains Open for Pakistani Nationals:FO (Foreign Office)

LOOSENING THE GRIP:

ISLAMABAD: Debunking the deceitful narratives peddled by bias Indian media, the Foreign Office (FO) dismissed allegations that Pakistan sealed off the Wagah border for its citizens returning from India, amidst the intensifying feud between the two adversarial nations.

When faced with questions about the feasibility of the Wagah-Attari border crossing for Pakistani citizens heading back from India, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, clarified that the Wagah border would continue to welcome Pakistani citizens.

The deadline for crossing over via the Wagah-Attari border remains April 30, 2025, the FO spokesperson asserted.

*A Muted Exchange at the India-Pakistan border*

The Indian revocation of visas for Pakistani citizens has created dire humanitarian issues. Countless patients with a fragile health structure had to return to Pakistan without completing their treatments. Furthermore, there have been reports of families being torn apart, and children being separated from one parent, according to the FO's statement.

In light of these media reports suggesting some Pakistani nationals are trapped at Attari, Ambassador Shafqat said, they are ready to receive their citizens if the Indian authorities clear them to cross the border.

The National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by the prime minister, decided on April 24 to suspend the Wagah Border Post, effective immediately, in response to India's unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.

Following this decision, all border traffic via this route will be halted, without exception. Those who crossed before the deadline can return, but not later than April 30, 2025.

In addition, Pakistan annulled all visas granted under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) to Indian nationals, effective immediately, with the exception of Sikh religious pilgrims.

Insights:- Pakistan sealed off the Wagah border in response to the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terrorist attack, which led to the death of 26 people. Retaliatory measures included visa cancellations, airspace closures, and trade suspensions.- The border reopened on May 2, 2025, after backlash over stranded individuals.- As of May 2, 2025, the border remains functional for repatriation, though broader diplomatic tensions remain.

Despite the Indian media's biased reports, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), clarified that the Wagah border would continue to welcome Pakistani citizens returning from India.
In response to the unilateral suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India following the Pahalgam incident, the National Security Committee (NSC), chaired by the prime minister, decided to suspend the Wagah Border Post, effective immediately, halting all border traffic via this route.
Reportedly, the Indian revocation of visas for Pakistani citizens has resulted in dire humanitarian issues, with countless patients returning to Pakistan incomplete treatments, and families being torn apart, according to the Foreign Office's statement.
In light of the backlash over stranded individuals, the border reopened on May 2, 2025, and, as of that date, remains functional for repatriation.