At a time when India is taking strict action to deport Pakistani nationals from the country, 228 Pakistani citizens residing in Madhya Pradesh have been told to leave by April 27, a senior state government official said on Saturday.
In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attacks which claimed 26 innocent lives of mostly tourists, the Government of India has suspended visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.
“As per our records, there were 228 Pakistani nationals in Madhya Pradesh. Our role is to report such individuals to the Centre,” the official said. He added that these individuals are required to leave the country as per the government’s directive.
India suspends visa services to Pakistani nationals
In retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attacks which claimed 26 innocent lives of mostly tourists, the Government of India took several steps to put pressure on Pakistan which is allegedly sheltering the terrorists and their mastermind.
Among the steps taken by India, is suspension of visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect, as stated by the Ministry of External Affairs in a notification on April 24.
“In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025.
Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended.
Indians “strongly advised” to avoid travelling to Pakistan
Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest,” the notification reads.
Visa cancellation not for Hindu Pakistani nationals
However, the visa cancellation does not apply to long-term visas granted to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which will remain valid.
Home Minister Amit Shah’s instruction to Chief Ministers
In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday called chief ministers of all the states and directed them to ensure that no Pakistani nationals stay in India beyond the stipulated deadline set for their departure from India, as per sources. State governments have been told to ensure that Pakistani nationals are identified and deport them at the earliest.
Reportedly, Shah personally called up the chief ministers of all the states and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani citizens extend their stay in India beyond the deadline set.
