Latest news with #LongTermVisas
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
BJP leader questions presence of ‘Pak nationals' in Punjab after deadline to leave india
1 2 Amritsar: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has sparked a debate by raising concerns over the presence of Pakistani nationals, living both legally and illegally, in Punjab and demanded their immediate ouster. While claiming the possibility of Pakistani nationals still residing in Punjab, BJP Amritsar president Harwinder Singh Sandhu questioned why no crackdown was initiated against them, unlike in several other states. Sandhu declined to provide any specific numbers, districts, or locations where these Pakistanis could be allegedly staying. He asserted that not only should those living illegally be deported, but even Pakistani nationals residing legally in Punjab should not be allowed to remain in India in the wake of the public sentiments against Pakistani's post Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent Indian lives. Learned sources said that some Pakistani nationals may be residing in Punjab on Long Term Visas (LTV), and there should be no objection to their presence as their visas have not been revoked by the government. Besides, those residing legally are required to report to the local police station for visa extensions and other formalities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Transform your future with affordable online programs Degree Online | Search Ads Learn More Undo However, regarding Pakistani nationals — if any — living illegally in Punjab, sources pointed out that such persons are difficult to trace unless a formal complaint is filed. "If the BJP has any specific information about Pakistanis living illegally in Punjab, they should share it with the police administration," a source said, adding that failure to do so could be seen as mere propaganda aimed at gaining publicity in a state governed by the BJP's rival, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Sandhu said that the senior BJP leadership will gather on Monday and hand over a memorandum to the deputy commissioner. Meanwhile, it was learned that an Indian national, Mohammad Jameel from Uttar Pradesh, who was visiting his in-laws in Karachi, was allowed to return home by Pakistani immigration officials. However, no Pakistani national left India for Pakistan on Sunday. The immigration officials refused to confirm the border crossing on Sunday. MSID: 120871853 413 |
New Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
129 Pakistani nationals deported from Rajasthan, search underway for missing individuals
JAIPUR: Following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, security agencies have deported 129 of the 400 Pakistani nationals residing in Rajasthan. According to official sources, 109 individuals were sent back by April 27, and an additional 20 were deported on April 28. However, several others are currently untraceable, and efforts are going on to locate them. In a parallel development, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued new guidelines offering relief to Pakistani nationals living in India on Long Term Visas (LTVs). As per the updated directive, LTV holders are not required to leave the country, providing significant respite to many individuals residing in India legally. Over the past three days, 362 Pakistani nationals in Rajasthan have had their LTVs approved and formally registered. Officials have clarified that applicants whose LTV cases are pending or under consideration are also exempt from deportation. Notably, Pakistani Muslim women married to Indian citizens and residing in India on LTVs are also not being asked to return to Pakistan under the revised rules. A significant number of Pakistani refugees, especially Hindus, have settled in the border districts of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer, Barmer, and particularly Jodhpur. In many cases, families have been split due to cross-border marriages—where one half of the family is in India while the other remains in Pakistan or faces pressure to return. In at least three to four reported instances, mothers hold passports from one country, while their children have obtained citizenship in another, typically due to birth circumstances. These families now face the emotional and logistical burden of separation until new regulations are introduced or the situation stabilizes.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
LTVs and diplomat visas of Pakistan nationals remain valid, say officials
Long term visas (LTVs) and official or diplomatic visas will remain valid even after the April 29 deadline when Indian visas issued to Pakistani citizens will be revoked. Officials here clarified on the issue saying that of the 16 categories of visas issued by India to Pakistan nationals, two categories would remain valid after Tuesday (April 29, 2025) and that validity of the LTVs will not be impacted by the religious identity of the visa holders. Also Read | Pahalgam terror attack: J&K Assembly unanimously passes resolution against the attack; Omar's emotional speech highlights local response On April 23, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced that all visas issued to Pakistan nationals under SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) would be revoked on April 26. Briefing the media on April 23, Mr. Misri urged all Pakistani nationals with 'valid endorsements' to exit India through the Integrated Check Post at Attari by May 1. Rest of the visas such as 'visa on arrival', visas issued to business persons, visitors, film industry workers, journalists, visas issued for transit, conference, mountaineering, and tourist groups were revoked on April 27. Apart from these, pilgrim visas and group pilgrim visas to religious minorities of Pakistan were also revoked. As per the official notification, the deadline for visa for officials and diplomats from Pakistan will be determined by the Ministry of External Affairs. Also Read | India blocks 16 Pakistani YouTube channels, writes to BBC on its terror attack coverage An official note circulated by the Ministry of External Affairs on April 24 said that the Long Term Visas would remain valid after April 29 only in cases of Pakistani Hindu visitors. Referring to that decision, the official note had declared: 'The revocation of visas does not apply to the Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid.' But an official source said on Monday that 'all' Long Term Visas issued to Pakistani citizens will remain valid after April 29.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Sold everything, how can we return': Families in despair amid strained India-Pak ties
'India is good; there's nothing left for us in Pakistan. Prices are high, and there's no work,' says a young child from a Pakistani family, standing outside the CID-Crime Branch (CID-CB) office in Barmer. Their family, like many others, sold everything they had in Pakistan before coming to India, hoping for a better future. Now, with the Indian government's directive ordering Pakistani nationals without valid Long Term Visas (LTVs) to leave the country by April 27, these families are left with uncertainties and possibility of being sent back to a place where they say they have no homes, no livelihood, and no future. The directive, which follows the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, has thrown these families into a state of deep anxiety. While they arrived in India seeking safety and opportunities, they now face an uncertain future. Many of them had sold off their properties, businesses, and even homes in Pakistan before crossing into India. For the past few days, the CID-CB office in Barmer has seen a surge of Pakistani families, many of whom are pleading for assistance to legalise their stay. Families were seen rushing to complete paperwork and gather the necessary documents in a last-ditch effort to stay in the country they now consider home. 18-member family pleads for stay Among those seeking help was an 18-member Hindu family which recently arrived from Sindh province on April 19. Six women, five children, and seven men visited the CID-CB office, desperately pleading with officials to allow them to stay in India. Suresh, a member of the family, shared their plight, saying, 'We arrived on April 19 on a 45-day visa to visit relatives. Before coming, we sold everything we had in Pakistan. Our extended family is already settled here. There's no one left for us back there. We have applied for Long Term Visas so we can stay here permanently.' 'What happened in Pahalgam is tragic, but we have nothing to do with it. We only want peace and a future for our children. We request the government to allow us to stay in India', said. 'We sold everything, how can we return now?' Also Read:India bans 16 Pakistani YouTube channels spreading misinformation after Pahalgam attack Similar stories are unfolding across Barmer, as several other families have made similar appeals. Four Hindu families—comprising 33 members—arrived in Barmer alone in April, crossing through the Attari border. They too had sold their homes, lands, and businesses in Pakistan before migrating, hoping for a new beginning in India. Among them is Satradas from Umerkot, who arrived with his seven family members on April 17. They have already applied for LTVs, hoping to settle permanently. Hamirmal from Sindh province, who came about 20 days ago with his wife and four children, is also awaiting a decision. Jalamsingh from Umerkot arrived a month ago on a medical visa with his wife. Their son, an Indian citizen, is already settled here. They too have applied for a Long Term Visa and are seeking permanent settlement. A father forced to return without attending his daughter's wedding One particular family affected by the directive is that of Swaroop Singh. While his daughter is an Indian citizen, Swaroop Singh lives in Pakistan with his wife and two sons. His daughter's wedding is scheduled for April 29, but due to the strained relations between India and Pakistan, he is being forced to return to Pakistan today. Swaroop Singh had been looking forward to attending his daughter's wedding, but now, he is returning with a heavy heart. These families have formally applied for Long Term Visas and have informed intelligence agencies about their intentions to stay in India. They now hold on to the hope that the Indian government will show humanitarian consideration and allow them to remain in the country. However, with the April 27 deadline having passed, authorities are set to initiate deportation proceedings against Pakistani nationals who have failed to leave India within the stipulated time or who do not have valid visa extensions. Responding to the issue, an official from the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) said, 'Following the government directives, we have asked the Pakistani nationals to leave India before the set deadline. Now, as the deadline has passed, we will act according to the government's directions.' 'Pakistani nationals residing in India on visas other than Long Term Visas (LTVs) must return to Pakistan via the Attari Border by April 27, and those staying on medical visas must leave by April 29. Any Pakistani national who fails to leave India within the stipulated time, as directed by the Government of India, will be compulsorily deported'. Barmer SP Narendra Singh Meena said.
NDTV
28-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Amid Exit Deadline, 2 Pak Nationals Arrested For Illegally Obtaining Indian Voter IDs
Raigarh: Two Pakistani nationals were arrested on Sunday in Chhattisgarh's Raigarh district for allegedly obtaining voter ID cards and other Indian documents by furnishing false information, police said. Iftikhar Sheikh (29) and Arnish Sheikh (25), originally from Karachi, possess valid Pakistani passports and Long Term Visas (LTV), police said in a statement. They were currently staying in Kodatarai village under the Jutemill police station area. During a crackdown to identify illegal foreigners in Raigarh district, police received input about Iftikhar and Arnish staying at the house of one Yakub Sheikh. The investigation revealed that Arnish and Iftikhar had fraudulently obtained voter ID cards and other Indian documents by giving false information to concerned authorities, police said. They were arrested under sections 199 (false statement made in declaration which is by law receivable as evidence), 200 (using as true such declaration knowing it to be false), 419 (punishment for cheating by personation), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), it said, adding that further investigation is underway. The action came on the day the exit deadline for the 12 categories of short-term visa holders of Pakistani nationals staying in India expired. The Indian government had announced a raft of measures, including the cancellation of visas of Pakistani nationals after 26 tourists were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir.
