Pune District Identifies 222 Pakistani Nationals

Over 250 Pakistani Sindhis residing in Pimpri breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a clarification stating that Long Term Visas (LTVs) already granted to Hindu Pakistani nationals will remain valid, despite India's recent decision to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals.

- Shrinivas Deshpande

PUNE:

In an official press release, the MEA stated: "Reference Government of India's decision on April 24 to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals. It is hereby clarified that the revocation of visas specified in the above decision does not apply to the LTVs already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals, which remain valid."

The original suspension of visas was announced following the recent terrorist attacks in Pahalgam, which prompted the Indian government to take stringent measures concerning cross-border movement.

The clarification comes as a major relief to the Sindhi Hindu families settled in Pimpri, many of whom have been living in India for years under LTVs after fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan. Concern had been growing within the community over the uncertainty surrounding their visa status in light of the broader suspension.

Community representatives expressed gratitude for the timely clarification, calling it a "lifeline" for hundreds who feared possible deportation or legal complications.

"This news has brought immense relief to all of us. We are grateful that the government has considered our unique situation," said a local Sindhi community elder.

Earlier, there was uncertainty among over 250 Pakistani Sindhi migrants after the Indian government ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country by April 27 and suspended the issuance of visas.