537 Pakistani Nationals Return from India as 48-Hour Deadline Ends
JNS: As the 48-hour deadline for Pakistani nationals on SAARC visas to leave India expired today, 537 Pakistanis have returned via the Attari-Wagah border, including 237 who crossed over on Saturday.
The evacuation follows a decision made at the April 23 Central Committee on Security (CCS) meeting after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists. While short-term visa holders were ordered to leave by April 26, those on medical visas have been granted an extension until April 29.
Simultaneously, 1,387 Indian nationals have returned from Pakistan, officials said. Over the last two days, 191 Pakistanis departed India on April 25, followed by 81 more on April 26, while 629 Indians crossed back, including 13 diplomats and officials.
Pakistani nationals holding visas across 12 categories — including business, tourism, student, and conference — were required to exit, whereas those with long-term, diplomatic, or official visas were exempt.
Officials noted that some Pakistanis may have flown out through other countries due to the lack of direct air links between India and Pakistan.
State-wise updates show Maharashtra had the largest number of short-term Pakistani visitors, around 1,000, all asked to leave. Alarmingly, 107 were reported “untraceable.” Telangana housed 208 Pakistani nationals, most on long-term visas, while Kerala had 104, almost all on long-term permits. In Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, and Gujarat, smaller groups of Pakistani visitors were also directed to leave by Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Gujarat, 438 Pakistani Hindus on long-term visas have applied for Indian citizenship.
Officials continue to monitor compliance across states as the deadline nears its final hours.
