Amit Shah Directs Chief Ministers to Identify Pakistani Nationals, Visas to Be Cancelled

In the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday held discussions with all state chief ministers, directing them to identify Pakistani nationals residing within their states, reported Hindustan Times. Shah instructed that the Centre be informed of such individuals so their visas could be cancelled.

This comes days after the brutal terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people. The tragedy has prompted a swift and stringent reaction from the Indian government.

As part of the slew of measures announced in diplomatic combat, the Ministry of External Affairs announced on Wednesday that Pakistani nationals would no longer be permitted entry into India under the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). The directive requires that any Pakistani citizen currently in India under the SVES must leave the country within 48 hours.

A press release issued on 24 April by the Ministry stated: “All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April.”

The Ministry further clarified that medical visas would remain valid for a limited time. “Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended,” the statement said.

According to reports, Home Minister Amit Shah is also scheduled to chair a meeting on the Indus Waters Treaty at his residence on Friday, signalling that broader discussions on Indo-Pak relations may be on the agenda.​