Only long-term, diplomatic, and official visas remain valid; medical visas were allowed to remain in effect until 29 April. Several Pakistani nationals at the border expressed distress, urging the Indian government to reconsider its decision in light of humanitarian circumstances.
Samreen, a Pakistani woman who arrived in India on a short-term visa and subsequently married, shared her concern about being forced to leave without her long-term visa being processed. Another woman, Ira, who has lived in Delhi for over a decade and holds a NORI visa, said the decision unfairly punishes families with deep ties to India.
Krishan Kumar, a Pakistani tourist, called for cooperation between India and Pakistan, highlighting the emotional toll on families divided across borders. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that all existing visas issued to Pakistani nationals stood revoked from 27 April, barring a few exceptions.
Protocol officer Arun Pal reported that 537 Pakistani citizens have exited India through Attari over three days, following the short-term visa expiry. Simultaneously, 850 Indian nationals have returned to India from Pakistan during the same period, including 116 arrivals on Sunday alone.
The security clampdown comes in the wake of one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama incident, which killed 40 CRPF personnel. Pakistani citizens leaving the country have appealed for compassionate review, particularly in cases involving cross-border marriages and long-term residency.
