Latest news with #NORI
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Family struggles to raise toddler after India expels mother to Pakistan
RAJOURI, Indian-administered Kashmir: Ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan have left one family struggling and worried after the mother of a toddler was expelled by India. Two-year-old Ayiza Anjum's father said his daughter had fallen ill since her mother was made to leave the country when India canceled visas of Pakistani nationals in the wake of an attack on tourists in Pahalgam that left 26 dead last week. Athiya Aslam lived in India on a long-term visa with her in-laws in Kashmir's Rajouri district. Ayiza's father, Anjum Tanweer, condemned the situation as a 'dire injustice.' 'This [expulsion of Pakistani nationals] by the government according to us is very wrong,' he said. 'Those living illegally [in India] it makes sense for them. But those who have families here, they have been wronged.' Tanweer said it was the third day that his child had been crying and refusing to drink milk. 'She is sick. It has become very difficult for me. I'm very worried,' the father said. Tanweer's father appealed to the Indian government to bring back his daughter-in-law and reunite her with Ayiza. 'My small child who is left here is in a lot of distress. She hasn't been able to eat for the last three days,' Tanweer Hussain Khan, the toddler's grandfather, said. 'We are all in a state of shock. I request the prime minister to [bring back] my daughter-in-law who has gone there [to Pakistan], whose child was snatched from her. I have complete hope that you will reunite them.' On April 22, militants unleashed a deadly carnage in Baisaran valley, a tourist spot in Indian Kashmir, known for its lush green meadows. 25 tourists and a local pony handler were killed in the attack. India has alleged Pakistani involvement, without providing evidence. Islamabad denies the charge but fears continue to rise that New Delhi could carry out retaliatory strikes. In response, among other measures, New Delhi canceled the visas of Pakistani nationals. However, it reportedly announced NORI (No Obligation to Return to India) visa holders as an exception. NORI visas are provided to such Pakistani or Bangladeshi nationals who are married to Indian citizens or have close relatives in India. Kashmir has been disputed between India and Pakistan for decades, with both claiming the valley in full but ruling it in part.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pakistan finally opens Wagah gate, over 20 cross over
Attari: Pakistan on Friday reopened its gates at the Wagah border outpost across Attari, allowing around 27 people to cross. The exact number, however, remains unclear, as officials have not released any formal data. Sources suggest conflicting figures — some say 21 crossed, others estimate 24 to 27. India, in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, had ordered all Pakistani nationals visiting the country to return home. But the process was anything but smooth. On Thursday, Pakistan abruptly refused entry even to its own citizens, stranding several at the border. The move triggered confusion and anxiety among those waiting to cross. On Friday, several women holding Indian passports but married in Pakistan were turned back by Indian immigration authorities. Officials at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Attari cited govt directives barring Indian citizens, including those married abroad, from exiting the country under the current security condition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Forget Hearing Aids: This Simple Spray Changes Everything Stop Hearing Loss Learn More Undo Khalida, a Delhi resident, recounted how her sister-in-law from Karachi was permitted to cross the border, but her one-year-old son—an Indian passport holder—was not. "Even though the Pakistan high commission issued him a visa, we were told he couldn't go. Either both of them go or none. This is injustice," she said. Raees Ahmad faced a similar ordeal. His sister, an Indian citizen who has lived in Pakistan for four years after marriage, was again denied exit. "This is our third trip to the border. Last night, we stayed until 9pm. They said people with NORI visas were allowed earlier, but not anymore," he said. With no official word on when normal movement will resume or clarity on visa protocol, the humanitarian and diplomatic stalemate continues. The border may have reopened momentarily—but trust and cooperation remain firmly shut. MSID:: 120823766 413 |
India.com
02-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
These Pakistanis are allowed to enter India freely without much border restrictions, they hold a special…, no tough checks, no questions asked…, Know why
While travel between India and Pakistan is usually heavily restricted, there's a small group of Pakistani citizens who are allowed to visit India with minimal hassle — even during tense times between the two countries. After recent security concerns, including the Pahalgam attack, both India and Pakistan have asked citizens staying on visas to return to their home countries. But even during such sensitive times, some Pakistani nationals are still being allowed into India. So, who are these people? These individuals hold a special type of visa issued by India called the NORI Visa, which stands for 'No Objection to Return to India'. This visa is typically valid for five years and is mainly issued to people from neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. Most of the recipients of this visa are Pakistanis who have married Indian citizens or have close family members living in India. Though they are allowed to live in India on this visa, they are not granted Indian citizenship. Despite political tensions and strict immigration controls, holders of the NORI visa are allowed to enter India using their Pakistani passport without facing the same level of scrutiny or legal barriers that other Pakistani nationals might experience. They can also return to Pakistan and come back to India within the visa terms. However, there are some rules. Even for NORI visa holders, the number of visits they can make to India each year is limited, and they must follow the visa guidelines strictly. But compared to regular visa holders, they enjoy a smoother and less restricted travel experience. What is the NORI Visa? NORI stands for 'No Objection to Return to India', a special category of visa that India grants to select Pakistani and Bangladeshi citizens. Unlike tourist visas, this one isn't for sightseeing — it's meant for people with deep personal ties to India. These are usually individuals who: Have married Indian citizens Have close family members living in India, such as children or parents Are dependent on relatives residing in India for care and support The NORI visa allows them to stay in India for extended periods, often up to five years, but without being granted Indian citizenship. It's a humanitarian measure, intended to preserve family unity across a heavily monitored border. In a significant development following weeks of uncertainty, more than 70 Pakistani women, all married to Indian citizens and holding NORI certificates along with Long-Term Visas (LTVs), were allowed to cross back into India through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border. This comes after the Government of India revoked all Pakistani visas in the wake of the tragic Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The sudden decision had left many stranded on both sides of the border, especially Pakistani women who had traveled back to visit their families. Despite holding valid Pakistani passports, NORI certificates, and LTVs, many of these women were prevented from returning to India by Pakistani immigration officials in recent days. Families in India were left anxious, fearing prolonged separation.
India.com
01-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Who are these special Pakistanis who can freely travel to India without much restriction? They have been granted...
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Thursday criticized the Indian government's directive for Pakistani nationals to leave the country following the Pahalgam attack, calling it 'inhuman' and 'against the spirit of humanity,' especially in cases where individuals have lived in India peacefully for decades, reported news agency ANI. Speaking to the media, Abdullah sympathized with the people living in India for the last 70 or 25 years. 'This action is not good; this is against humanity. Some people have been staying here for the last 70 years, 25 years, their children are here, they never hurt India, instead they have submitted themselves to India,' Farooq was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. Meanwhile, India has closed its airspace to all aircraft registered in Pakistan and those operated by Pakistani airlines, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), another major step following the April 22 terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 people were killed. Presently, there are significant restrictions on the movement of citizens between India and Pakistan due to the tense and often strained diplomatic relations between the two countries. After the Pahalgam attack, both countries have asked citizens living on visas to return to their home nations. However, some Pakistani nationals are not questioned much when they travel to India. So, who are these people allowed relatively free movement? Well, as per AajTak news report, these are Pakistani nationals who have been granted a NORI visa by India. NORI stands for 'No Objection to Return to India' visa. This visa is typically issued for a period of five years and is primarily granted to individuals from neighboring countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. The report further mentioned that this visa is granted to Pakistani nationals who are married in India or have close relatives living here. They reside in India based on this visa, but they are not granted Indian citizenship. Even when citizens are being sent back, these individuals have still been permitted to enter India with their Pakistani passports. The report further mentioned that these individuals can travel to India and Pakistan without much legal hassle. There is a limit set for them on the number of times they can visit India each year. A total of 70 Pakistani nationals, who were issued the NORI (No Obligation to Return to India) visa, crossed over to India through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border here on Monday, officials were quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Earlier, Pakistanis nationals, married in India, were not allowed to return to India. However, the PTI report mentioned that Indian authorities on Monday allowed the Pakistani nationals with NORI visas to cross over to India.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Pakistani national set to be deported dies of cardiac arrest in Amritsar
AMRITSAR: A 69-year-old Pakistani national, who was to be sent back to his nation, died of cardiac arrest here on Wednesday. According to officials, Abdul Waheed was brought from Srinagar by the Jammu and Kashmir Police for his . He had been living in India for the last 17 years and was found with an expired visa by the police. Meanwhile, a total of 224 Indian nationals and Pakistani citizens who were holding No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) visas crossed over to India through the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border. A total of 139 Pakistani nationals crossed over to the other side. Monika Rajani, 35, a Pakistani passport holder having NORI and Long Term Visa (LTV), crossed over to India along with her five-year-old India-born daughter Saimara. "I have crossed over to India from Pakistan in a panic with the fear that ICP may be closed at any time. I belong to a Hindu family and married a Hindu man at Vijayawada around nine years back. My in-laws and husband from Vijayawada were waiting here to receive me. I crossed over to India at 3 pm, where it took around three hours for customs and Immigration clearance. It was difficult for children travelling with their mothers to wait for all the necessary clearances due to the scorching heat." "Before leaving for Vijayawada, my family members and I will visit the Golden Temple," she added. In the aftermath of the last week, the Centre announced a slew of measures, including suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, downgrading diplomatic relations with Islamabad, and ordering all Pakistanis on short-term visas to leave India or face action.
