 "India has announced the cancellation of Saarc Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) for Pakistani citizens and ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours.")
Days after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India has revoked visas of all Pakistani nationals.
All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from April 27, 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
Medical visas of Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29, said the MEA.
All Pakistani nationals must leave the country as soon as the expiry of visa, according to the MEA.
As for Indians, the MEA said, “Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest.”
In Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, terrorists killed 26 people on Tuesday. India has blamed Pakistan for the attack.
The Resistance Front (TRF), which is a cover that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba uses for its activities in J&K, claimed responsibility for the attack.
Following a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a slew of decisions was announced as part of the diplomatic offensive in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. These steps included from action over the Indus Water Treaty to downgrading of the bilateral relationship.
The Indus Water Treaty will be in abeyance till further notice.
Defence advisors at the Pakistani high commission to be expelled and their posts to be expelled. Indian advisors to also vacate their posts in the high commission in Pakistan and return.
High commissions’ strength to be reduced from 55 to 30.
Cancellation of SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES) to Pakistani nationals. Pakistani nationals currently in India under the scheme to leave India within 48 hours.
Closure of the Attari land crossing.