The Delhi government has issued a directive enforcing the Union Government’s order asking all Pakistani nationals in the capital to leave India with immediate effect, in response to the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 dead.
“All existing valid visas, except Medical visas, Long Term Visas, Diplomatic & Official visas, issued by Government of India to Pak Nationals stands revoked with immediate effect from April 27, 2025,” the Home Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi stated in a release issued on Friday.
Medical visas, the notification added, will cease to be valid after April 29. The order also notes that no fresh visas are to be issued to Pakistani nationals for the time being.
The move is in accordance with a broader set of retaliatory measures undertaken by the Centre following the deadly attack on pilgrims in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam, where 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national were killed. Several others were wounded in what has been described as the most devastating attack in the region since the 2019 Pulwama bombing that took the lives of 40 CRPF personnel.
The Indian government has initiated a series of diplomatic and administrative actions in response. These include the revocation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and the closure of the integrated check post at Attari.
Further, the Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission have been declared persona non grata and directed to leave India within a week. India will also withdraw its own Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors posted in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
The Home Department said five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be recalled. This step will reduce the strength of both High Commissions from the current 55 to 30 personnel, effective from 1 May 2025.
The strong measures are being seen as part of India's message to Pakistan in the aftermath of what officials allege is a Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack.
Follow us
