Attari:
Pakistani nationals started to arrive at the Wagah-Attari border in Amritsar prior to their deadline to leave India after the terror attack of Pahalgam who left 26 civilians dead in a tourist hotspot known as a 'mini Switzerland' in Jammu and Kashmir.
India had suspended the visa services for Pakistani in a strong response after the horrible attack, so that a Sunday seamline could leave for such visa holders. The medical visas are valid until Tuesday. Pakistan has also suspended SAARC -VISA for Indians.
The decision has left Pakistani citizens in India the preparation for their journey back home. Only a kilometer from the border between India-Pakistan, NDTV saw families waiting to cross to the other side.
The Wagah limit, which was the only permitted trade route between the two countries, is also closed. This means a stop on the border ceremony that attracted a large number of tourists on both sides.
Speaking with NDTV, a Pakistani subject said: “I'm going back to Pakistan. I received the information that this (terror attack) took place in Kashmir, and I was asked to leave India within 48 hours. So I am leaving.”
The Indian authorities have also arranged for the movement of Pakistani subjects back to their country. In Uttar Pradesh, the authorities started the process of sending back Pakistanis who live in various cities.
No formal orders were received from the central government, but the instructions were sent to all districts from the police headquarters to start with the formalities, said director -general police -PRashant Kumar. The details of Pakistani citizens who had been picked up on different types of visas are gathered, he added.
In this context, a meeting was also held in the residence of Minister President Yogi Adityanath last night. Sanjay Prasad, main secretary of the home department, and DGP Kumar was also present.
India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of a “worldwide epicenter of terrorism” that offers a refuge to terrorists. In the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack, Delhi raised his fingers again in Islamabad. It has suspended the decades of old Indus Water Treaty, a crucial agreement for sharing water between the two countries, stating “persistent cross -border terrorism by Pakistan focused on Jammu and Kashmir”. In response, Pakistan has also suspended all bilateral pacts with India, including the SIMLA agreement of 1972.
