Pahalgam attack | Pakistan addresses ‘humanitarian challenges’ caused by India’s visa cancellation

Pakistani citizens take shelter under trees as they wait to go to Pakistan at the Attari-Wagah border crossing near Amritsar on May 1, 2025.
| Photo Credit: Reuters

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has criticised India’s decision to revoke visas of Pakistani citizens, citing “humanitarian challenges” for medical treatment seekers and divided families.

Also read: Pahalgam terror attack live updates – May 2, 2025

While responding to media queries about the availability of the Wagha border crossing for Pakistani citizens returning from India, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Shafqat Ali Khan stated, “The Indian decision to revoke visas of Pakistani citizens is creating serious humanitarian challenges. Many patients, with fragile health, had to return to Pakistan without completing their treatment. Furthermore, there are reports of families being split and children being separated from one of their parents.”

The Attari-Wagah border was shut on Thursday (May 1, 2025) after being kept open till April 30, 2025. India issued the ‘Leave India’ notice to Pakistani nationals after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists with Pakistan links in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.

“The last date to cross over through the Wagah-Attari border was April 30, 2025. In that context, we are aware of the media reports indicating that some Pakistani nationals are stranded at Attari. We are open to receiving our citizens in case the Indian authorities allow them to cross the border from their side,” the statement issued.

“The Wagha border will remain open for Pakistani citizens in the future as well,” it added.

(With PTI inputs)