Key Points
- Mass Expulsion: 786 Pakistani nationals, including 55 diplomats and their families, left India via the Attari-Wagah border in six days after the government’s expulsion order.
- Visa Crackdown: India revoked most Pakistani visas, setting strict deadlines for departure by visa type; violators face jail and heavy fines.
- Emotional Goodbyes: Families separated, long-term residents forced to leave, with many expressing anguish and confusion over the sudden order.
- Reciprocal Moves: 1,376 Indians returned from Pakistan during the same period; diplomatic staff recalled on both sides.
- Security Context: The move follows the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, with India blaming Pakistan-based militants.
New Delhi: In a sweeping response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government ordered nearly all Pakistani nationals to leave the country, triggering a mass exodus across the Attari-Wagah border. Over the past six days, 786 Pakistani citizens-including 55 diplomats, their dependents, and support staff-have exited India, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Strict Deadlines and Visa Cancellations
The expulsion order, issued after Pakistan-linked terrorists killed 26 people in Pahalgam on April 22, revoked most categories of Pakistani visas. Short-term visa holders-including business, tourist, journalist, and student visas-were told to leave by April 27, while those on medical visas had until April 29. Only diplomatic, official, and long-term visa holders were exempted.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed all state governments to identify and deport Pakistani nationals immediately, warning that overstayers could face up to three years in jail or a ₹3 lakh fine under the new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.
Emotional and Chaotic Departures
The Attari-Wagah border witnessed emotional scenes as families, some with deep roots in India, were forced to leave on short notice. Sara Khan, a Pakistani woman living in Kashmir since 2017, described being sent back just 14 days after giving birth, despite having a valid long-term visa. “They told me I am illegal and must leave. I couldn’t even change my shoes,” she said, cradling her newborn. Others, like Nasreen from Karachi, lamented having to uproot lives built over decades: “It took us 15 years to get settled. Now they are asking us to leave. We will have to start afresh.”
Some families were separated, as Indian spouses or children with Indian passports were not required to leave. Many Pakistani nationals condemned the terror attack but questioned why they were being collectively punished for the actions of militants.
Diplomatic Fallout and Reciprocal Measures
The crackdown extended to diplomatic staff. Three Pakistani defense attachés and their support staff were declared ‘persona non grata’ and ordered to leave, while India also recalled its own defense attaché from Islamabad. In parallel, 1,376 Indians-including 25 diplomats-returned from Pakistan during the same period, as both nations tightened border controls and suspended certain visa services.
Security and Political Context
The expulsions come amid soaring India-Pakistan tensions. India blames Pakistan-based militants for the Pahalgam massacre, while Pakistan denies involvement and has called for an international investigation. The Indian government has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty and advised its citizens against travel to Pakistan.
A large-scale verification drive is underway across Indian states to ensure no Pakistani nationals overstay. Officials noted that some Pakistanis may have left via third countries due to the lack of direct flights between India and Pakistan.
Legal Consequences for Overstayers
Pakistani nationals who fail to comply with the ‘Leave India’ order now risk arrest, prosecution, and severe penalties. The new Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, enforces up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₹3 lakh for violations.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack, India has expelled nearly all Pakistani nationals, including diplomats, triggering emotional separations and a surge in border crossings. The move underscores the deepening diplomatic rift and heightened security measures, as both nations brace for further fallout in an already volatile region.
