New Delhi: Over 500 Pakistani Nationals Exit India via Attari Border as Visa Deadline Expires
Amritsar/New Delhi, April 28, 2025 — As diplomatic tensions escalate between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, a total of 537 Pakistani nationals, including nine diplomats and officials, left India via the Attari-Wagah border over the last four days, officials confirmed.
The exit follows India’s directive for all short-term visa holders from Pakistan to leave the country. The deadline for most visa categories expired on April 26, while those on medical visas have until April 29 to depart.
Government officials stated that 237 Pakistanis left on April 27 alone, followed by 81 on April 26, 191 on April 25, and 28 on April 24. The departures come after India issued a ‘Leave India’ notice in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people. The attack has been linked to Pakistan-based terrorists, intensifying the already strained bilateral relations.
In a reciprocal movement, 850 Indian nationals, including 14 diplomats and officials, returned from Pakistan through the Attari border over the same period.
Protocol Officer Arun Mahal at the Attari border confirmed that the movement was carried out in an orderly manner, with emotional scenes unfolding as families were separated due to the abrupt directive. “We came to India after nine years,” said Sarita, a Pakistani national, tearfully recounting how her Indian mother was not allowed to cross back with them. Her family had come to India for a wedding scheduled for April 29.
The government’s directive applied to 12 categories of short-term visas, including tourist, business, medical, film, journalist, and student visas. However, those on long-term visas and diplomatic/official visas were exempt from the order.
India also declared three Pakistani defence attaches posted at its High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata on April 23, asking them to leave within a week, along with five support staff. In response, India withdrew its own defence attaché from Islamabad.
Across several states, authorities confirmed that Pakistani nationals on short-term visas have either left or are in the process of leaving:
• Maharashtra: Out of 5,050 Pakistani residents, only 1,000 were on short-term visas. All have been accounted for.
• Bihar: All Pakistani visitors had exited before the April 27 deadline.
• Telangana: Of 208 Pakistani nationals, only 13 were on short-term visas, and all have departed.
• Kerala: Of the 104 Pakistani nationals, five on short-term visas have left.
• Madhya Pradesh: Most of the 228 visiting Pakistanis have exited.
• Odisha: All 12 identified Pakistanis were ordered to leave.
• Goa: Three short-term visa holders have been asked to exit.
• Gujarat: Seven on short-term visas have either left or are leaving, while 438 remain on long-term visas, many applying for Indian citizenship.
• Uttar Pradesh: All but one Pakistani national, scheduled to leave by April 30, have left.
• Bihar: 19 Pakistani nationals have exited.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke directly with chief ministers across the country to ensure full compliance. Following that, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with state chief secretaries to monitor the implementation.
The diplomatic fallout from the Pahalgam attack has been swift and severe. In addition to mass visa cancellations, India suspended key agreements with Pakistan, including the Indus Waters Treaty, and closed the Attari land transit post. Pakistan has retaliated by suspending the Simla Agreement and other bilateral pacts.
