CHANDIGARH: The heart-wrenching stories of separation following the Pahalgam attack are not limited to the Indian side, similar narratives are emerging from across the border as well.The ordeal is not confined to Indian women married to Pakistani nationals, who find themselves stranded at the Attari-Wagah Integrated Check-Post (ICP) due to immigration authorities denying them permission to leave the country. Several Pakistani women married to Indian nationals are also stuck in Pakistan. Despite having valid documentation, they are not permitted to reunite with their husbands and families, as they hold Pakistani passports. Only children are being allowed to travel back as they possess Indian passports. Dr Vikram Udasi from Maharashtra’s Jalgaon is waiting at the Attari border for the past two days to receive his wife, Priya, a Pakistani national who went back to visit her family. Their four-year-old child has an Indian passport.“She has been on a long-term visa (LTV) for the past eight years, which will expire in 2026. When the Indian authorities announced the suspension of visa services on April 23, they stated that holders of No-Objection Return to India (NORI) certificates with long-term visas could return. She had only gone to meet her parents about 20 to 25 days ago. Now, the Pakistani authorities are not allowing her to return to India because she holds a Pakistani passport,” he explained.In a similar case, Rishi Kumar from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur has also been at Attari for the past few days to meet his wife, Savita, who is from a town in Baluchistan. They have 10-year-old twins, Saysha and Revansh. Savita travels back to her home every two to three years to visit her parents and family. She spent about 12 days there this time before he came to Attari to drop her off. “She holds a long-term visa and will be eligible for Indian nationality once she completes the mandatory period,” he noted.His wife informed him that about 50 Pakistani women married to Indian men were waiting at Wagah to cross into India but were not being allowed. As per sources, 75 Pakistan nationals crossed from Attari border on Saturday, while 335 Indians nationals returned home.Jharkhand minister sends salary to victims’ kinJharkhand health minister Irfan Ansari has offered to donate his four-month’s salary as tribute to the families of the Pahalgam terror victims. Terming the attack a blight on humanity and the very soul of India, Ansari said “This incident has shaken me deeply. I have decided that I will donate my four months’ salary as tribute to the martyr families.All Pak nationals deported: Bihar governmentBihar government confirmed that all Pakistan nationals, who visited the state since January this year, have left for home before the deadline set by the Centre. The Chief Secretary said the 19 Pak nationals, in the state on tourist visas, left before April 27. Those on long term visas will have to exit before April 29, he added.
Source link
