In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government has revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani nationals—except diplomatic, official, and long-term visas—prompting a sharp rise in the departure of Pakistani citizens through the Attari Border on Tuesday.
This surge coincides with the expiry of medical visas on April 29, as previously announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) following the attack that killed 26 people, including 25 Indian tourists and one Nepalese national.
Voices from the Border
Several Pakistani nationals departing from India expressed distress and disappointment, especially those with family ties and pending long-term visa applications.
Samreen, a Pakistani woman at the Attari border, shared:
“I came here in September with a 45-day visa. After that, I got married here. I have not got my long-term visa yet, and now suddenly I have been asked to leave the country. The terrorists should be questioned. What is our fault? Why are we being punished? The people who have relatives in the country should be allowed to stay.”
Another Pakistani national, Ira, said:
“I got married 10 years ago in Delhi. My visa expired during COVID. I am a NORI visa holder, but I have been asked to leave the country because of the attack in Pahalgam. Whatever happened there is absolutely wrong, but we should not be punished for this.”
Krishan Kumar, also returning to Pakistan, added:
“I came to India on a tourist visa for 45 days and now we are going back. The government should take action on the Pahalgam terrorist attack. Both countries should stay together since half of the families are there and half are here. What happened in Pahalgam is not right.”
Government Action
In its formal statement, the MEA declared:
“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.”
The revocation excludes long-term visas, usually granted for marriage or family unification, although many individuals still await formal approvals for their pending applications.
Border Movements
Arun Pal, a protocol officer at the Attari Border, reported the movement of 537 Pakistani nationals out of India in the three days leading up to April 28, as short-term visas expired. Simultaneously, 850 Indian nationals returned home via the same border point.
“On Sunday alone, 237 Pakistani nationals returned to their country, while 116 Indian nationals came back,” he told media.
Context: Pahalgam Attack Aftermath
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 has been described as the deadliest civilian attack since Pulwama in 2019, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans. The government’s decision to cancel visas was made as part of a stronger national security response, aimed at discouraging misuse of medical or tourist visas for potential subversive activities.