Pakistan nationals visiting India arrived in droves at the Attari-Wagah border on Friday after New Delhi announced the revocation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
A woman who reached the border crossing told PTI that she had come to India to meet her sisters and mother. However, the terror attack left her rushing for the border crossing, abandoning her plans of spending time with the family.
"I came here to meet my mother and sisters. This time, we met so many loved ones, but we know there are people we may never see again the next time we visit India," she said.
"In most parts of the world, travelling in times of need is not so difficult, but when it comes to India, the journey is never easy," the woman added.
Indian Mother, Pakistani Children
Indian nationals, mainly women, who got married to Pakistani nationals and settled with Pakistani nationals there are facing another dilemma.
An Indian woman who travelled to meet her family on this side said she wanted to return to Pakistan but is unable to do so as India has strongly advised its nationals to avoid travelling to Pakistan.
Her minor son who accompanied her on her travel to India is also Pakistani and the woman urged the Indian government to let her cross the border.
"I had come to meet my parents, and now I want to return to Pakistan. I have a child with me who is Pakistani. His passport is Pakistani and my passport is Indian. I got married in Pakistan. I want to appeal to the government that I want to return to Pakistan on my passport...," she said.
Revocation Of Visas
In the aftermath of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians, India announced the revocation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27. New Delhi also advised Indian nationals residing in Pakistan to return home at the earliest as tensions between the two countries escalated over the terror attack.
The revocation of visas, however, does not apply to the long-term visas already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which "remain valid", according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Following a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs said all existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27.
It said medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29.