Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) [India], April 25 (ANI): The recent directive from the central government revoking the visas of Pakistani nationals in India has left many, particularly those living in Rajasthan’s border villages, in distress. The decision, which requires Pakistani nationals holding South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visas to leave the country, has caused significant upheaval among those residing in India on both short-term and long-term visas.
In Jaisalmer alone, over 6,000 Pakistani nationals live on long-term visas, with approximately 20,000 such individuals across Rajasthan. These refugees have been notified by the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) and other authorities about the new orders, which may force them to return to Pakistan.
One heart-wrenching account comes from Radha Bhil, a Pakistani national who had been living in India on a short-term visa. She had been separated from her two-year-old son, who was left behind in Pakistan due to issues with his visa. After a long wait, she was able to bring her son to India, but now fears that the government’s new orders will force her to send him back to Pakistan.
Similarly, Shaitan Singh Rathod, a 25-year-old from Barmer, had planned to travel to Pakistan to marry his bride. However, his plans were thwarted when security agencies at the Attari border denied him permission to cross into Pakistan, citing the new government directives. Rathod’s wedding, scheduled for April 30, is now in jeopardy.
Another refugee, Dilip Singh Sodha, expressed outrage at the decision, calling it “completely wrong.” He described the plight of many refugees who fled Pakistan due to religious persecution and sold everything they had to seek refuge in India. “Now, there are talks of sending us back to Pakistan—this is absolutely not right. You can shoot us here, we will die here. At least our ashes will be immersed in Haridwar,” he said, in a plea for mercy.
Seemant Lok Sangathan president, Hindu Singh Sodha, wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, urging them to reconsider the decision, especially for those fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan. He highlighted the special provisions made by the Government of India under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) of 2019 for granting citizenship to religious minorities from Pakistan.
On April 24, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a press release stating that all existing valid visas for Pakistani nationals would be revoked, effective from April 27. The release clarified that medical visas would remain valid only until April 29, and all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave before their visas expire.
The refugees are now hoping that their plight will prompt a reevaluation of the decision, given their unique circumstances and the ongoing hardships they have endured.
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