The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday clarified that Long Term Visas (LTVs) issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals will remain valid, despite the recent suspension of visa services for Pakistani nationals.
In an official press release, the MEA stated, “With reference to the Government of India’s decision (dated 24 April 2025) to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, it is clarified that the revocation of visas mentioned does not apply to the Long Term Visas already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals. These visas continue to remain valid.”
The move follows a tragic terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam earlier this week, which claimed 26 lives, including 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. In response to the attack—one of the deadliest since the 2019 Pulwama tragedy—the Indian government has introduced a series of stringent measures targeting Pakistan.
The MEA further announced, “All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked effective 27 April 2025. Medical visas will remain valid only until 29 April 2025.”Additionally, Pakistani nationals currently in India have been directed to leave the country before their visa expiration dates, as amended. Indian citizens are strongly advised to avoid traveling to Pakistan, and those currently in Pakistan have been urged to return to India at the earliest opportunity.
In a decisive Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday—with Home Minister Amit Shah and other senior officials in attendance—India also resolved to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960. This suspension will remain until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably” ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
Further actions include the closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari, declaring Pakistani High Commission officials in India as persona non grata with an order to leave the country within a week, and the cancellation of visas granted under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), requiring Pakistani nationals to exit within 48 hours.
These firm countermeasures underscore India's serious stance against terrorism and its demand for accountability from Pakistan. (Reported by ANI)
