NEW DELHI: Jammu and Kashmir opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday called the central government’s move to deport Pakistani nationals in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack a “humanitarian concern” and urged the Centre to adopt a “compassionate approach“.
“The recent government directive to deport all Pakistani nationals from India has raised serious humanitarian concerns, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir. Many affected are women who came to India 30–40 years ago, married Indian citizens, raised families, and have long been part of our society,” Mufti wrote on X.
The J&K PDP chief said deporting Pakistanis who lived peacefully for decades would “inflict deep emotional and physical distress on families who now know no other home”.
“We urge the government to reconsider this decision, and adopt a compassionate approach regarding, women , children and elderly. Deporting individuals who have lived peacefully in India for decades would not only be inhumane but would inflict deep emotional and physical distress on families who now know no other home,” the former J&K chief minister added.
The central government has suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals after the Pahalgam terrorist attack that killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists.
“In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect,” the ministry of external affairs said.
The ministry also advised all Indian nationals in Pakistan to return at the earliest and warned Pakistani citizens in India to leave before the expiry date of their amended visas, which was April 27, and April 29 for medical visas.
Foreign secretary Vikram Misri also announced that Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
“Any SPES visas issued earlier stand cancelled. Those currently in India on SPES visas must leave within 48 hours,” he said.
