Amit Shah Cracks Whip on Pakistanis, Revokes Visas Post Pahalgam Attack
Indian politician Amit Shah contacts Chief Ministers, seeking assistance in identifying individuals of Pakistani origin residing in India.
In a fiery move by the Indian government, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has issued a mandate to all chief ministers, demanding they flag Pakistani nationals residing in their respective states. The directive was given in the aftermath of the gruesome terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that left 26 innocent souls, mostly civilians, dead.
Shah has urged the chief ministers to report these individuals promptly so their visas can be cancelled without delay. Furthermore, he called for taking swift action to ensure the prompt return of Pakistanis to their homeland.
The government's hardline stance on Pakistani nationals came into action on April 24, following a horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, with India revoking all existing valid visas issued to Pakistani citizens starting from April 27 [1][2]. Medical visas remain valid till April 29 [1]. The 27th deadline serves as the final leg of departure for all Pakistani nationals currently in India, as exception only applies to medical visa holders.
Those who entered India under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa must vacate the country within the 48-hour deadline provided [3]. Amid these stringent measures, commoners, particularly those on short-term visas, are facing chaos.
On top of these severe actions, Amit Shah will convene a meeting regarding the Indus Waters Treaty at his residence on Friday. Besides the Home Minister and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, key government officials will join the meeting [4]. Attention’s turn to the Indus Waters Treaty as India officially notifies Pakistan in writing about its suspension [4].
Sources:
- "Medical Visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended," [Press Release, Ministry of External Affairs, 24 April 2025].
- "All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27," [Press Release, Ministry of External Affairs, 24 April 2025].
- "India revokes travel permits for Pakistanis post Pahalgam Attack," [The Hindu, 24 April 2025].
- "India suspends Indus Waters Treaty as Army chief meets LG Manoj Sinha in Srinagar," [Indian Express, 24 April 2025].
- "Long-Term Visas (LTVs) for Hindu Pakistani nationals to remain valid," [NDTV, 24 April 2025].
- The Indian government, in response to the Pahalgam attack, has asked all chief ministers to identify and report Pakistani nationals living in their states, with the aim of revoking their visas immediately.
- Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, India has revoked all existing valid visas issued to Pakistani citizens with effect from April 27, except medical visas which remain valid until April 29.
- In addition, those who entered India under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa must leave the country within the 48-hour deadline provided.
- Amid the revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals in India, commoners, particularly those on short-term visas, are facing chaos and uncertainty.
- The Indian government is also reportedly set to convene a meeting regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, with the Home Minister Amit Shah and the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, CR Patil, spearheading the discussion.
- Beyond the private sector, political news and policy-and-legislation discussions on the Pahalgam attack and the revocation of visas for Pakistani nationals are dominating the general news, including coverage by media outlets such as The Hindu, Indian Express, and NDTV.
