No Pakistani to stay in India after April 27

Union home minister Amit Shah on Friday spoke to chief ministers over phone, asking them to ensure that no Pakistani citizen stays in India beyond the deadline set by the Centre, people familiar with the development said.

- Neeraj Chauhan and Smriti Kak Ramachandran

NEW DELHI:

Confirming this, a government official said: "The home minister personally called the CMs of all states and union territories to identify and inform the Centre about any overstaying Pakistani nationals so that they can be sent back to their country".

Subsequently, the home ministry issued an order to this effect. ".In exercise of the powers under section 3 (1) of foreigners act, 1946, the government has decided to suspend the visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect," the ministry's order said.

"All existing valid visas, except medical visas, long term visas, diplomatic and official visas, issued by government of India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with immediate effect from April 27. Medical visa issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid up to April 29, 2025," the order stated.

It further said that "no new visas will also be issued in this regard", while adding that this order will not apply to long term visas (LTVs) and diplomatic and official visas issued to Pakistani nationals.