Pakistan citizens bid tearful goodbye as deadline for exodus ends today
PTC News Desk: The exit deadline for Pakistani nationals visiting India on SAARC visas ended on April 26, while for the rest, except those on medical visas, it is set to close on Sunday, April 27 amid escalating tensions between the two countries over the Pahalgam Terror Attack that killed 26 people.
The medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals are valid till April 29.
The vehicles queued up at the Attari border as citizens rushed to the Attari border to cross over. Most of the Pakistani nationals said that they were here in India to meet their kin while some came to attend weddings.
A man from Jaisalmer said his maternal uncle, aunt and their children were visiting them after 36 years but had to rush back ahead of the deadline.
“They came from Pakistan's Amarkot on April 15 with a 45-day visa. No one knew the situation would turn out to be like this. They did not get time to meet all their relatives,” he said.
“My mother's an Indian and she is not being allowed to accompany us to Pakistan,” a helpless teenager said as she was in a queue to cross over the border.
India has issued warning that those who fail to exit the country after the deadline passes wil have to face legal action under newly implemented Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025.
- PTC NEWS
