Bhubaneswar, Apr 25: Following a directive from the Union Home Ministry amid the ongoing tensions over the horrific Pahalgam terrorist attack, the process has been started to issue notices to 12 Pakistani nationals living in Odisha, instructing them to leave India.
These Pakistani nationals are staying in Odisha on Long Term Visas (LTVs).
According to sources, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been in contact with Chief Ministers of all the states, instructing them to identify Pakistani nationals in their states and ensure their return as soon as possible.
Following this, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has spoken with Shah and assured full cooperation to the Centre.
The Odisha Home Department has begun preparations to carry out the process.
This action comes after the recent terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which killed at least 26 people, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and left several others injured.
In response to the Pahalgam attack and growing tensions, India has taken strong steps against Pakistan, including:
- Suspending the Indus Waters Treaty
- Shutting down the integrated check post at Attari
- Cancelling SAARC visa exemptions
- Revoking visas already issued to Pakistani nationals
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the suspension of visa services will not affect Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals. "These Long Term Visas remain valid," the MEA stated, while noting that all other valid Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals were revoked from April 27. However, medical visas will remain valid until April 29.
The MEA has also advised Pakistani nationals currently in India to leave before their revised visa expiry dates. Additionally, Indian citizens are strongly urged not to travel to Pakistan, and those already there are advised to return as soon as possible.
