Gates closed at Attari-Wagah border as uncertainty grips those wanting to cross over
Uncertainty prevailed on both sides of the Attari-Wagah border Thursday as the gates at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) remained closed. No Pakistani citizen was permitted to cross over, nor did any Indian national return from the other side.
This was despite the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) amending its earlier directive, which had ordered the closure of the border on May 1, and permitting Pakistani nationals to leave India via the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari until further notice. Both countries are yet to make a statement on those stranded on both sides of the border. So far, the ICP authorities have not given any clarity on their situation.
India last week cancelled all short-term and special visas to Pakistan nationals in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. In response, Pakistan responded by suspending visas issued to Indian nationals. Since then, 787 Pakistan nationals who were in India crossed the border through the Attari ICP until Wednesday.
Notably, on Wednesday, over 300 people had successfully crossed the border in both directions.
Despite the gate closure, over 40 Pakistani nationals gathered at the border Thursday, hoping to return to their country. They had been residing in various states in India.
Two such women, Saida Sameer Fatima and Saida Safeer Fatima from Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, came to India in 1983. Their father passed away in Pakistan in 1980, and they have had no links to the country since then. They said that despite having lived their entire lives in India, they are being forcibly expelled. Their relative Murawat Hussain said they have no family in Pakistan and do not wish to leave India.
Another woman from Karachi is also facing expulsion but refuses to return without her child, who holds an Indian passport. In tears, she said she had appealed to be allowed to stay with her child or to return along with them.
Also, 16 Pakistani Hindus who had visited Haridwar for the last rites of their relatives are stranded at the border. They reportedly arrived late due to vehicle trouble and are now waiting for clearance.
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