Several Pakistani nationals have started returning to their homeland through the Attari-Wagah land route in Amritsar on Thursday, a day after the Indian government set a 48-hour deadline for them to leave the country.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced a series of stern measures, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the integrated check-post (ICP) at Attari, in view of the cross-border links to the horrific terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians on Tuesday.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri further confirmed that Pakistani nationals would no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES), and those currently in India under this scheme must leave within 48 hours.
The decisions were taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) which announced that the integrated check-post (ICP) at Attari will be closed with immediate effect and those who crossed over to Pakistan with valid documents may return through that route before May 1.
On Thursday morning, several Pakistani families arrived at the ICP in Amritsar to return home through the Attari-Wagah land route. Among them was a family from Karachi, which had arrived in Delhi on April 15 to visit relatives.
“We had a 45-day visa but are going back early. Whosoever has done it is completely wrong. We want mutual brotherhood and friendship between the two nations. There should be no place for hatred. We don't want hatred,” said Shaikh Fazal Ahmad, a family member.
Another visitor, Mansoor, who came with his family to India, also condemned the Pahalgam attack, saying it shouldn’t have happened. “We came on a 90-day visa but are returning home today,” he said.
Mustafa, another Pakistani national, echoed similar sentiments, stating that while the attack was horrific, expelling all Pakistani citizens was not the right solution.
The closure of the Attari ICP also disrupted travel plans for several Indian citizens intending to visit Pakistan on Thursday.
A family from Gujarat, which had secured visas two months ago, wanted to meet their relatives in Karachi. When informed that the Attari land-transit post had been closed, an elderly member of the family said they were ready to return home if asked.
Kanpur resident Seema expressed distress over the situation, explaining that she needed to visit her critically ill sister in Karachi.
"I want to go to Karachi. I have a visa for one month. My sister Chanda Aftab is in a very serious state," Seema said.
Two men from Rajasthan, who had traveled to Amritsar on Wednesday evening to cross over to Pakistan, said they were not aware that the Attari land-transit post had been shut down.
Meanwhile, many Indian tourists visiting Amritsar strongly condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and appealed to the Indian government to take exemplary action against those behind the incident. “Pakistan should be given a befitting reply,” said a tourist from Nanded, Maharashtra.
Follow us
