Pahalgam attack aftermath: Pakistan to keep Wagah border open for stranded citizens amid Centre's 'leave India' order
Pakistan on Friday announced that it would continue to keep the
crossing open for its citizens stranded in India, following New Delhi's decision to revoke visas in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
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The Attari-Wagah border which connects Amritsar in India with Lahore in Pakistan, was shut on Thursday after remaining open until April 30.
Reports said that around 70 Pakistani nationals were left stranded at the border on Thursday, after the deadline for their departure from India had passed a day earlier.
Responding to media questions, a spokesperson for Pakistan's ministry of foreign affairs confirmed the presence of
stranded Pakistani nationals
at the Attari border, including children.
'We are aware of the media reports indicating that some Pakistani nationals are stranded at Attari. We are open to receiving our citizens in case the
Indian authorities
allow them to cross the border from their side,' the Pakistan MoFA spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further said that the Wagah crossing would continue to remain open in the future for Pakistani nationals wishing to return.
The foreign office of neighbouring Pakistan also criticised India's decision to revoke visas, stating, 'The Indian decision to revoke visas of Pakistani citizens is creating serious humanitarian challenges,' and pointed to disruptions in medical treatments and family separations.
The Centre issued 'Leave India' notices after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 people—mostly tourists—and was linked to Pakistan-based elements.
The exit deadlines varied by visa type: April 26 for Saarc visa holders, April 27 for 12 other categories including business, tourism, and student visas, and April 29 for medical visa holders. After these deadlines, no cross-border movement was permitted between the two countries.
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In a reciprocal move, Pakistan had also shut down the Wagah crossing, revoked Indian visas under the
SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme
(SVES), and ordered Indian military advisers at the high commission to leave.
"All cross-border transit from India through this route shall be suspended, without exception. Those who have crossed with valid endorsements may return through that route immediately but not later than April 30," Pakistan had stated last month.
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