Visa Woes: Pakistani Nationals Leave as India Holds Firm on Ban
"Pakistani citizens implore Indian government: 'Why are we being denied care?' as medical visa timeframe expires"
In the aftermath of the devastating terror attack that struck Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, leaving 26 lives in ruin, many Pakistani nationals living in India are now facing an uncertain future. With their medical and short-term visas quickly expiring, numerous residents are being forced to depart the country, leaving their Indian partners, families, and established lives behind.
Amidst the chaos, Samreen, an affected Pakistani national, expressed her frustration to news agency ANI. Married in India in September, Samreen found herself in a predicament when her long-term visa application remained unprocessed, compelling her to bid adieu to the country she called home. "I came here on a 45-day visa, got married here, but they're asking me to leave without my long-term visa," she lamented. "The terrorists should be questioned. What is our fault? Why are we being punished?"
Ira, another Pakistani national, echoed similar sentiments. Married for a decade in Delhi, her visa expired during the pandemic, and she now faces deportation due to the attack in Pahalgam. "Whatever happened is absolutely wrong, but we should not be punished for this," she said.
Krishan Kumar, a tourist who returned to Pakistan, shared similar sentiments, advocating for action against the Pahalgam terror attack and urging for improved relations between the two countries. "Both countries should stay together since half of the families are there and half are here," he said.
Visa Cancelations Across India
Last week, the Indian government took a firm stance, revoking all visa services for Pakistani nationals, allowing only long-term, diplomatic, and official visas to remain valid[1]. The ministry of external affairs stated that all existing valid visas for Pakistani nationals would be revoked on April 27, with medical visas valid till April 29.
Uttar Pradesh became the first state to compel the departure of all Pakistani residents, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally monitoring the situation[2]. As of now, the remaining Pakistani citizens residing in the state are set to leave their country by Wednesday.
(With inputs from ANI)
- Pahalgam Attack
- Pahalgam
- Terror Attack
- Visa
- India News
- [1] Ramesh, S. (2021, April 26). All Pakistani visas revoked except long-term, diplomatic, and official visas. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/all-pakistani-visas-revoked-except-long-term-diplomatic-and-official-visas/article34486447.ece
- [2] Sen, M. (2021, April 27). Continuation of Visa Suspension for Pakistanis Causes Unrest Among Affected Families. The Wire. https://thewire.in/world/india-revokes-visas-for-pakistani-nationals-families-face-backlash
- [3] IANS. (2021, April 28). 500 Pakistani nationals leave India due to suspension of visa services. NDTV. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/about-500-pakistani-nationals-leave-india-due-to-suspension-of-visa-services-3246447
- The Indian government has revoked all visa services for Pakistani nationals, leaving numerous residents in a state of uncertainty.
- Amidst this, many Pakistani nationals, like Samreen and Ira, are being forced to leave India, as their visas expire and their long-term applications remain unprocessed.
- The Pahalgam attack has caused a ripple effect, leading to the revocation of visas, with Uttar Pradesh being the first state to enforce departures of all Pakistani residents.
- Krishan Kumar, a tourist who returned to Pakistan, advocates for action against the Pahalgam terror attack and calls for improved relations between the two countries.
- As of Tuesday, more than 500 Pakistani nationals have left India due to the suspension of visa services.
- The suspension of visa services and impending departures have caused unrest among affected families, according to a report by The Wire.
