Indian nationals returned to the country through the Wagah border on Friday, while several Pakistani citizens also made their way back from India the same day.
Pakistani Father Appeals to India, Pakistan to Allow Children’s Medical Treatment Amid Visa Row
A Pakistani man has appealed to the governments of India and Pakistan to allow his children’s life-saving medical treatment in New Delhi to continue, amid tightening visa restrictions following the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
The man, a resident of Hyderabad in Sindh province, traveled to India with his family for the treatment of his 9- and 7-year-old children, both suffering from a congenital heart condition. The family’s travel was impacted by the suspension of SAARC visa privileges between the two countries after the April 22 attack, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists.
Speaking to Geo News, the father — whose identity has not been disclosed — said, “Their treatment was possible only in New Delhi due to the advanced facilities available. But after the Pahalgam incident, we’ve been told to return immediately, even though the surgeries are scheduled for next week.”
The man stated that doctors and hospital authorities are cooperating with the family, but the police and the foreign office have advised them to leave the country. “We have spent nearly ₹10 million on travel, stay, and treatment. I request both governments to allow us to complete the treatment,” he said.
Meanwhile, over 100 Indian nationals returned to India through the Attari-Wagah border crossing this week. According to Pakistani officials, 105 Indian citizens crossed over on Thursday, while 28 Pakistani nationals returned from India the same day.
On Friday, additional Indian nationals crossed back from Pakistan through the Wagah border near Lahore. A seven-member Pakistani Hindu family from Balochistan, who had travelled to India to attend a wedding, was also among those returning. Family member Akshay Kumar said they were unaware of the visa cancellation until they reached Lahore.
The visa clampdown follows the deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam, carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. In response, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security ordered several measures, including the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari.
