In the wake of the Pahalgam massacre, India orders all Pakistani nationals to leave by April 27 and halts visa services; Indian citizens advised to return from Pakistan immediately.
April 24, 2025 | In a strong diplomatic move following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has suspended all visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Thursday that all valid Indian visas held by Pakistani citizens will be revoked effective April 27, 2025, while medical visas will be valid until April 29, 2025 only.
The move is part of a broader response initiated by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) following the deadly attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran area near Pahalgam, which left 26 tourists dead and several injured.
“All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave before the expiry of the revised visa validity,” the MEA stated.
Key Highlights:
- Visa suspension: All visa services to Pakistani nationals stand suspended with immediate effect.
- Visa revocation: All existing valid visas will be invalid from April 27. Medical visas extended until April 29.
- Indian nationals in Pakistan: Strongly advised to return to India immediately.
- Travel advisory: Indian citizens have been asked not to travel to Pakistan under any circumstances.
The MEA also confirmed that these steps were among five major punitive measures approved by the CCS, which also include:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty
- Closure of the Attari Integrated Check Post
- Reduction of diplomatic staff in both countries’ high commissions to 30
- Expulsion of Pakistani military attaches from the Indian High Commission
- Termination of SAARC visa exemption benefits for Pakistani citizens
This dramatic escalation in bilateral tensions comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed justice during a speech in Bihar.
“India will identify, track, and punish every terrorist and their backers. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth,” PM Modi declared.
The Pahalgam attack has drawn nationwide condemnation and spurred sweeping diplomatic, security, and economic actions, underscoring India’s zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism.
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Pahalgam terror attack, India Pakistan visa suspension, Modi on Pahalgam attack, Indus Waters Treaty suspended, Pakistani nationals ordered to leave India, India diplomatic action, Pakistan visa ban, India-Pakistan tensions, Attari border closed, SAARC visa cancelled