55 Pakistani nationals living in Maharashtra on short-term visas asked to leave by April 27: Official

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As many as 55 Pakistani nationals living in Maharashtra on short-term visas have been asked to leave the country by the Central government's deadline of April 27, an official from the state home department told PTI on Saturday.

Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 persons, most of them tourists, lost their lives earlier this week.

The External Affairs and Home ministries have issued instructions that Pakistani nationals leave India by April 27, the official told PTI.

The official told PTI that there are 18 Pakistani nationals on short-term visas in Nagpur, 19 in Thane city, 12 in Jalgaon and three in Pune city, while Navi Mumbai, Mumbai and Raigad have one each.

He said unit commanders (commissioners and superintendents of police) have been instructed to ensure their exit by April 27.

Meanwhile, authorities in Nashik confirmed that six Pakistani women lived in the city, but they haven't received official communication about their deportation.

The commissionerate has not received any written instruction from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) till late Friday night, an official said.

"The administration is on alert. Though we have not received an authorised copy of the order yet, we have started collecting the necessary information," district collector Jalaj Sharma told PTI.

Following the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, while medical visas issued to them will be valid only till April 29.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday said police stations in the state have been asked to ensure that Pakistani nationals do not stay on in the country with their visas cancelled.

Talking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis said the visas of Pakistani citizens have been cancelled and they have been asked to leave the country in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack.

"A list of all Pakistani nationals present in the state is ready and we are monitoring them. All police stations have been asked to ensure that Pakistani nationals leave the country within the stipulated time. If there is a delay and overstay, necessary action will be taken against the concerned persons. Under no circumstances the Pakistani nationals whose visas have been cancelled will stay back in Maharashtra," he said.

He has spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the issue, the chief minister added.

(With inputs from PTI)