In a sharp escalation of diplomatic tensions, the Government of India has directed all Pakistani nationals currently in the country to exit by April 29, following the recent Pahalgam terror attack which New Delhi attributes to elements linked with Islamabad.
In a statement released on Thursday, India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced the immediate suspension of visa services for Pakistani citizens.
“In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect,” the statement read. “All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended.”
While the directive affects all non-diplomatic Pakistani citizens, officials clarified that accredited Pakistani diplomats stationed in New Delhi are exempt from the order. However, the number of diplomatic staff has already been reduced by Indian authorities as part of broader measures taken in response to the attack.
The move marks a significant strain in India-Pakistan relations and underscores the heightened security and diplomatic posture adopted by New Delhi in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident.
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