“What is our fault?” “Why are we being punished for someone else’s deeds?”
This appears to be the common lament among Pakistani nationals in India, including those who hold medical visas, as they race against the clock to meet the April 29th deadline, set by the Indian government for them to return to their country.
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the worst since 40 soldiers were killed in J&K’s Phulwama in February 2019, India suspended visas for Pakistani nationals. The suspension is part of a diplomatic counter-offensive by India that included a temporary stay on the critical Indus Waters Treaty.
Meanwhile, the ministry of external affairs asserted that the validity of short-term visas for Pakistani nationals had already expired on Sunday (April 27).
‘What’s my fault?’
Samreen, a Pakistani national at the Attari Border told ANI that what happened in Pahalgam is not their fault. Her husband is an Indian citizen and she had married him after arriving in the country in September, when she got a 45-day visa.
But, now, she has to leave her husband and return to Pakistan since she has not yet obtained a long-term visa.
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Samreen pointed out that Pakistani nationals who have relatives in India, should be exempted from the Indian government’s leave-order. She also said that the Indian government should crack down on terrorists and not punish Pakistani civilians.
“I came here in September with a 45-day visa. After that, I got married here. I have not got my long-term visa yet, and now suddenly I have been asked to leave the country. The terrorists should be questioned. What is our fault? Why are we being punished? The people who have relatives in the country should be allowed to stay,” Samreen told news agency ANI.
The Centre on Friday revoked all categories of visa-except long-term, diplomatic, and official visas-issued to Pakistani citizens, with immediate effect from April 27, with medical visas valid till April 29 I PTI
‘Pakistani civilians shouldn’t be punished’
For Ira, another Pakistani national, who got married in Delhi, a decade back, the situation is not much better.
“I got married 10 years ago in Delhi. My visa expired during COVID. I am a NORI visa holder, but I have been asked to leave the country because of the attack in Pahalgam. Whatever happened there is absolutely wrong, but we should not be punished for this,” she said.
NORI visas are issued by India to Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals who have close relatives holding Indian citizenship.
For Krishan Kumar, who returned to Pakistan, the Pahalgam terror attack has split his family in half. Condemning the Pahalgam attack, Kumar said that India and Pakistan should work together “since half of the families are there and half are here.”
Also Read: One week since Pahalgam terror attack: A timeline of major events
‘537 Pakistani nationals left in last 3 days’
The Centre on Friday revoked all categories of visa-except long-term, diplomatic, and official visas-issued to Pakistani citizens, with immediate effect from April 27, with medical visas valid till April 29.
Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Arun Pal, a protocol officer at the Attari Border, said that 537 Pakistani nationals have left India through the Attari border over the past three days after the deadline ended for short term visa holders.
He also said while 850 Indian nationals have returned to India in the past three days, on Sunday alone, 237 Pakistani nationals returned to their country, while 116 Indian nationals returned home.
(With inputs from agencies)