STORIES FROM THE BORDER

This newspaper talks to people scrambling to cross over to Pak or waiting anxiously on the other side to enter India

- ARPREET BAJWA, ANURAAG SINGH, AJESH ASNANI & EJAZ KAISER Chandigarh/Bhopal/Jaipur/Raipur

The stalemate over visa cancellations post-Pahalgam attack ended on Tuesday, with 70 Pakistani national women possessing long-term visas and No Obligation to Return to India (NORI) certificates permitted to cross over into India at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at the Attari border.

Initially, the Centre revoked all visas issued to Pakistani nationals visiting India. As a result, spouses of Indian citizens with Pakistani passports faced an emotional situation; those currently visiting or residing in India had to return to Pakistan, leaving their children behind if the latter were Indian citizens. Indian nationals currently visiting Pakistan could return to India but not with their children if the latter held Pakistani passports.

However, the Centre revised the visa guidelines allowing those on Long-Term Visas to stay in the country. So, on Tuesday, Pakistani immigration authorities allowed women holding Pakistani passports and married to Indian nationals and having NORI certificates and long-term visas to cross over to India, sources said.

In total, 240 people from Pakistan, including more than 70 NORI visa holders, entered India, and 140 people from India returned to Pakistan via the Attari border.

VIGNETTES FROM ATTARI

Family members waiting at the border post were relieved after the decision.

Dr Vikram Udasi, from Jalgaon, Maharashtra, had been waiting at the Attari border since April 25 to receive his wife Priya, a Pakistani national, and child Ahan, who were in Pakistan visiting family. They were reunited after both crossed over. "Finally, after the long wait, I have met my wife and child, and now we are returning to our home town. She has been on a LongTerm Visa for the past eight years, which is valid until 2026," he said.

Rishi Kumar from Kolhapur in Maharashtra, was equally happy. He was waiting for his wife and children at the Attari border for the last few days.