Chandigarh: 537 Pakistani citizens have returned from India in the last three days from the Attari-Wagah border post. An official gave this information. The official said that on Sunday, the time limit for short-term visa holders of 12 categories of Pakistan to stay in India expired. In view of this, many more Pakistanis are likely to return home. He said that a total of 850 Indian citizens, including 14 diplomats and officials, have returned to India from Pakistan via the international border in Punjab. On the other hand, if any Pakistani fails to leave India within the time limit set by the government, he will be arrested. He will be prosecuted and may face a jail term of up to three years or a maximum fine of Rs 3 lakh or both.
Why are Pakistanis forced to leave India?
In fact, the central government had issued a notice to Pakistani citizens to 'leave India' when on April 22, terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 people in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Most of them were tourists. Protocol officer Arun Pal posted at the Attari border said that 850 Indian citizens have returned to India in the last three days. He also said that on Sunday alone, 237 Pakistani citizens went back to their country, while 116 Indian citizens came to India.
How many Pakistanis left on Sunday?
Arun Pal said that the customs and immigration counters opened at 10 am. Before the counters closed, 237 Pakistani citizens went back to Pakistan from India and 116 Indian citizens came back from Pakistan. Since April 24, 537 Pakistani citizens have returned to Pakistan and 850 Indian citizens have returned to India. According to new information, Pakistani passport holders have time till April 29 to cross the border. The same rule applies to Indian passport holders as well.
Which Pakistanis have got time till 29th?
According to officials, some Pakistanis may have left India through air route as well. They said that since India does not have direct air connectivity with Pakistan, they may have left for other countries. The last date for SAARC visa holders to leave India has been fixed as April 26. At the same time, those holding medical visas have been instructed to leave the country by April 29. The 12 categories of short-term visa holders who were to return by Sunday include visa, business, film, journalist, transit, conference, mountaineering, student, visitor, group tourism, pilgrimage and group pilgrimage visa holders.
India recalls defence attache from Pak
Three defence/military, naval and air force advisers in the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi have been declared 'persons-in-interest' and have been given a week's time to leave India. Five supporting personnel of these defence attaches have also been asked to leave India. India has also recalled its defence attache in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. However, those who have long-term and diplomatic or official visas have not been directed to leave India yet.
Long queues of vehicles at Attari border
Long queues of vehicles were seen at the Attari border in Punjab's Amritsar district in view of the deadline for Pakistani citizens to leave India ending on Sunday. Many Indians arrived to see off their relatives and the pain of separation was clearly visible on their faces. Sarita and her family had come to India on April 29 to attend a relative's wedding. She said that we came to India after nine years. Sarita, her brother and her father are Pakistanis, while her mother is an Indian citizen. Sarita said emotionally, "They (officers posted at Attari border) told us that they will not let my mother go with us. My parents got married in 1991. They are saying that Indian passport holders will not be allowed."
550 Pakistanis in Maharashtra
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that all Pakistanis have been traced and arrangements are being made to send back those whose visas have been cancelled as per the Centre's instructions. Fadnavis government minister Yogesh Kadam had said on Saturday that 1,000 Pakistani nationals holding short-term visas have been asked to leave India. According to officials, about 5,050 Pakistani nationals are living in Maharashtra and most of them have long-term visas. He said that about 2,450 Pakistanis are living in Nagpur, 1,100 in Thane, 390 in Jalgaon, 290 in Navi Mumbai, 290 in Pimpri Chinchwad, 120 in Amravati and 15 in Mumbai.
How many Pakistanis are in Telangana?
The Bihar government said that all the Pakistani nationals who came to the state in recent days left well before the deadline of 27 April. Telangana Police Chief Jitendra, citing official records, said that at least 208 Pakistani nationals are living in the state, most of whom are from Bihar.
Seven are in Hyderabad. He said that 156 of them have long term visa, 13 have short term visa and 39 have medical and business visa.
How many Pakistanis left from Kerala?
According to officials, 104 Pakistani citizens are living in Kerala, out of which 99 are on long term visa, while five others had tourist or medical visa and they have left the country. Officials said that about 228 Pakistani citizens had come to Madhya Pradesh for various purposes, many of whom have already gone back. He said that at least 12 Pakistani citizens are present in Odisha, who have been asked to leave India within the stipulated time.
How many Pakistanis are in Gujarat?
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that three Pakistani citizens who had come to the state on short term visa have been instructed to leave the country. According to officials, seven Pakistani citizens had come to Gujarat on short term visa, out of which five were in Ahmedabad and one each in Bharuch and Vadodara. He said that all these seven have either left India or will go back on Sunday. According to officials, 438 Pakistani citizens are in Gujarat on long-term visas and these include Hindus who have applied for Indian citizenship.
Amit Shah had called all the states
At the same time, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said on Saturday that the process of sending back all the categories of Pakistani citizens who have come to the state and have been ordered to leave India has been completed. He said that one Pakistani citizen is still in the state and he will leave for Pakistan on April 30. According to officials, 19 Pakistani citizens living on short-term visas in Bihar have left the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had called the Chief Ministers of all states and union territories on Friday and asked them to ensure that no Pakistani stays in India after the deadline set for leaving the country.
What will happen to Pakistanis who do not leave India? Any Pakistani who fails to leave India within the deadline set by the government. He will be arrested and prosecuted and could face a jail term of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh or both. (Input agency)
