Pakistani Nationals Plead for Relief as India Revokes Visas Following Pahalgam Attack

Following India’s visa revocation after the Pahalgam attack, Pakistani nationals with personal ties in India pleaded for leniency, stressing they should not be punished for terrorism. Many were seen departing via the Attari-Wagah border, while Uttar Pradesh reported the complete return of Pakistani citizens under direct government supervision.

As the Indian government’s deadline to revoke visas for Pakistani citizens expired, many affected individuals have made emotional appeals for reconsideration. The decision came after the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, prompting New Delhi to cancel all categories of visas for Pakistani nationals except long-term, diplomatic, and official visas.

At the Attari-Wagah border, several Pakistani nationals returning home shared their distress. Samreen, who married an Indian citizen after arriving on a short-term visa, said she was heartbroken to leave. She questioned why innocent civilians were being punished for the actions of terrorists. Another Pakistani woman, Ira, who has lived in Delhi for a decade and holds a No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) visa, echoed similar sentiments, saying the decision was unfair to those with deep family ties in India.

Krishan Kumar, a tourist, emphasized the need for peace and unity between India and Pakistan, suggesting that familial connections across the border should not be severed due to political tensions.

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The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that all visas, barring a few exceptions, were revoked as of April 27, with medical visas valid until April 29. Uttar Pradesh notably became the first state to send back all Pakistani nationals, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath personally overseeing the process.

While India maintains its firm stance following the terror attack, the appeals by affected individuals underline the personal cost of the broader geopolitical fallout. The situation remains tense, with authorities closely monitoring movements and ensuring the implementation of the new directives.