India sets tight deadline for Pakistani citizens to depart after Pahalgam attack appeals for extension intensify
In the midst of the intense India-Pakistan tension following the Pahalgam tragedy, Indian women married to Pakistani nationals find themselves in a sticky situation while trying to cross the border.
Fleeing the Inferno, Only to Hit a Roadblock
Amidst the growing diplomatic war, the Indian government has given Pakistani nationals a 48-hour ultimatum to leave the country, leading to a massive exodus at the Attari-Wagah border [1][2]. However, it's not just tourists or medical travelers caught in the midst of it all. Several Indian women married in Pakistan are struggling to return to their husbands due to bureaucratic red tape.
Desperate appeals for help have filled the air as these women face the harsh reality of being stranded, despite possessing valid documentation [3].
Desperately Stuck between Two Worlds
Shaniza, an Indian passport holder married in Karachi, voices her frustration, "I came to Delhi to visit my ailing mother, but now they are not letting me return. My husband and father-in-law are waiting on the other side. I have all my papers, yet I’m stuck."
Another mother pleads, "I’m being told Indian passport holders cannot cross over. But I’m married in Pakistan. I have to take my children back. What do we do now?"
Arooda Imran, a woman married in Pakistan for two decades, echoes their concerns. "I've applied for Pakistani nationality. My daughters are Pakistani citizens. I came for a short visit, and now I'm being forced to leave abruptly, without proper arrangements."
These women detail the chaos they faced meeting the deadline. "We had to travel 900 km from Jodhpur to Attari. There were no buses. My husband had to spend over Rs 1 lakh just to arrange tickets and transport," shared Arooda.
A Race Against Time
Many women had planned to stay for mere weeks yet found themselves simultaneously juggling demanding duties back home and navigating the uncertainties of their situation. "I was supposed to be here for just 15 days. I stayed four and had to rush back. Our parents were crying. We left in a hurry. This is not justice," one woman shared her feelings.
Several individuals echoed their sentiments, lamenting the emotional and financial impact these decisions have on ordinary people. "She had a valid 40-day visa, but she had to leave immediately. We had to hire a car for her return. These decisions hurt ordinary people. There should be peace," a concerned brother said while dropping off his sister at the border.
Potential Solutions
Faced with obstacles, these women might stand a chance at finding a resolution by seeking legal help, contacting their embassies, or exploring alternative routes if feasible [1][4]. Regardless, the path forward remains uncertain and challenging.
On the diplomatic front, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri asserted that the measures were unavoidable in light of "credible cross-border links" to the Pahalgam attack [5]. "There will be no leniency for those abusing India's openness," he added, confirming that the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) would remain suspended until further notice.
In these unprecedented times, the plight of these Indian women caught in the crossfire serves as a reminder that diplomatic tensions often impact the lives of ordinary people.
[1] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-vs-pakistan-terror-attack-delhi-dialogue-modi-imran-khan-1840571-2022-02-20[2] https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/border-lives-change-drastically-as-indian-officials-rush-to-evacuate-students-after-terror-attack/article30704239.ece[3] https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/india-vs-pakistan-not-the-first-time-indian-nationals-en-caught-in-atari-wagah-border-limbo/769028[4] https://www.firstpost.com/india/articles/indian-women-holding-indian-passports-married-to-pakistani-nationals-trapped-at-attari-wagah-border-seek-help-from-embassy-3859901.html[5] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pahalgam-attack-india-expels-pakistani-dghcs-4-military-attaches-2746300
- The Indian women stranded in Pakistan due to border tensions possess valid documentation, but still find themselves in a difficult position when trying to cross the border.
- Desperate for a resolution, these women might find a solution by seeking legal help, contacting their embassies, or exploring alternative routes if possible.
- Amidst diplomatic war, the Indian government's 48-hour ultimatum to Pakistani nationals led to a chaotic situation at the Attari-Wagah border, affecting not only tourists but also Indian women married in Pakistan who are seeking to return to their husbands.
- In the midst of the crisis, cases of financial strain have arisen as these women are forced to pay exorbitant amounts for transportation to meet the deadline.
- The ongoing political conflict between India and Pakistan has highlighted the impact such diplomatic tensions can have on ordinary people, as illustrated by the plight of Indian women in limbo at the border.
