30-04-2025
Four Pakistani Nationals On Temporary Visas Deported from Karnataka
After Pahalgam attack: Following the Centre's directive to cancel all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, these four individuals were sent back
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, Karnataka has deported four Pakistani nationals who were residing in Bengaluru on temporary visas. However, the fate of nearly 100 others, including Pakistani Hindus living in the state, remains undecided, as the Centre is yet to issue directions on the deportation of those holding long-term visas.
'We issued instructions to immediately leave the country, and they complied. Their travel was closely monitored, and it was ensured that they left Indian soil," a senior police officer told News18.
Following the Centre's directive to cancel all visas issued to Pakistani nationals — excluding those holding long-term, diplomatic, or official visas — these four individuals were sent back. According to police sources, they departed on April 27, and confirmation of their exit was received soon after.
In the Bhatkal and Karwar regions of Karnataka, the Navayath community has a tradition of marrying Pakistanis, as they are believed to have ancestral roots in that region. After marriage, these individuals are granted long-term visas by the Indian government to stay and settle in Karnataka.
According to figures from the Karnataka Home Department, 102 Pakistani nationals currently reside in the state on long-term visas. Most are here to pursue their education or marriage to Indian nationals, a senior police officer said.
The FRRO department also has records of Pakistani nationals residing in Mysuru, Mangaluru, Kalaburagi, and Davanagere. One of them is a medical student in his final year, whose study visa has not yet expired. 'A drive has already begun to compile a fresh list of Pakistani nationals. If any are found to be overstaying, they will also be deported," the officer said.
In November last year, 18 Pakistani nationals affiliated with the Mehdi Foundation were previously arrested for living in India using forged documents.
The Indian arm of Mehdi Foundation International (MFI), which operated out of Bengaluru and was linked to Pakistanis staying in the country under false identities, has been officially disbanded, and its members booked.
In a joint operation by central agencies, Jigani Police arrested a 48-year-old Pakistani national, his wife, and in-laws, who were living on the outskirts of Bengaluru using fake identities for the past six years. The four Pakistani nationals initially caught were living under the aliases Shankar Sharma, Asha Rani, Ram Babu Sharma, and Rani Sharma.
Police first apprehended Rashid Ali Siddiqui, 48, his wife Ayesha, 38, and her parents Hanif Mohammed, 73, and Rubina, 61, who were living in Rajapura village. Later, they arrested Parvez Ahmed — also known as Farvez — the main handler responsible for facilitating the illegal entry of Pakistani nationals into Karnataka. Parvez would arrange fake identities and documents, secure employment for them, and help them remain under the radar of investigative agencies.
Karnataka Police, acting on intelligence inputs, traced others linked to MFI operations. Parvez was apprehended on October 7 on the outskirts of Bengaluru while travelling from Mumbai.
They are currently in judicial custody at Bengaluru's Parappana Agrahara jail, and a decision from the Home Department is awaited regarding further action in light of the Pahalgam incident.
The arrests in Bengaluru last year were made based on intelligence alerts after two Pakistanis were held at Chennai International Airport. They had travelled from Dhaka after attending a meeting of the Mehdi Foundation. Since then, a drive has been underway to trace and monitor Pakistani nationals across Karnataka.
Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara said he has issued instructions to all Superintendents of Police and senior law enforcement officials across the state to compile updated lists of Pakistani citizens residing in their jurisdictions.
'The MHA has issued a directive to all states to deport Pakistani nationals. Based on this, we have started the groundwork. Permanent visa holders, however, will be exempt from this process," the minister told the media.
He also said Pakistani students enrolled in educational institutions across Karnataka may be asked to return. 'We have relayed the advisory to our district police heads. The exact number of Pakistani nationals in Karnataka is still being verified," he added.
