New Delhi, April 24: In the wake of the devastating terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. The move comes as part of a series of strong retaliatory steps taken by the Indian government in response to what it alleges is Pakistan's continued support for cross-border terrorism.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in an official statement, said, “In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.”
Additionally, the MEA announced that all previously issued visas to Pakistani nationals will stand revoked starting April 27, 2025. Medical visas will remain valid only until April 29, 2025.
The ministry also advised all Pakistani nationals currently in India to leave before their revised visa expiration dates. Indian citizens have been strongly cautioned against traveling to Pakistan, while those already in Pakistan have been urged to return home as soon as possible.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow in Pahalgam, left 25 Indian tourists and one Nepali national dead, marking one of the worst terror incidents in the region since the 2019 Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.
In response, the CCS, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, approved a series of countermeasures:
The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably" renounces support for terrorism.
The integrated Attari Check Post has been closed.
All officials of the Pakistani High Commission in India have been declared persona non grata and must leave within a week.
Visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme have been cancelled, and Pakistan has been ordered to vacate the country within 48 hours.
These measures underscore India’s firm stance on national security and its intent to isolate Pakistan diplomatically over alleged terror links.
