New Delhi: In a strong diplomatic and security response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 people — mostly tourists — the Indian government has suspended all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, effective April 27. Medical visas will remain valid only until April 29.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that all Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave before their revised visa deadlines expire. It also advised Indian citizens to avoid traveling to Pakistan and urged those already there to return immediately.
“In view of the heinous terrorist strike in Baisaran near Pahalgam, which appears to have cross-border linkages, all Pakistani visas stand cancelled from April 27. Pakistani nationals under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) have been given 48 hours to exit the country,” read the official MEA statement.
This move comes alongside India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and the closure of the Attari land border — the last operational crossing between the two nations. Diplomatic ties have also been further downgraded.
The Pahalgam terror attack occurred on April 22 near the popular tourist site of Baisaran in Jammu and Kashmir.
