MHA deadline to end today: police depts. told to ensure exit of Pakistani nationals

MHA orders revocation of Pakistani visas, states must ensure departure by deadline, Maharashtra identifies and directs overstaying nationals.

Police departments in various States, including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, were asked to ensure that Pakistani nationals leave the country by Sunday, as per the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) April 24 directive.

The order issued by the MHA following the Pahalgam terror strike stated that all visas, except medical, long-term and diplomatic visas, issued to Pakistani citizens will be revoked from April 27. Those with medical visas have been given until April 29 to leave. On Friday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah asked all Chief Ministers to ensure that Pakistani citizens don’t stay beyond the deadline.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said his government had compiled a list of Pakistani nationals currently in the State, and steps were being taken to ensure their departure in accordance with the MHA order.

“We are systematically identifying Pakistani nationals in Maharashtra. Clear instructions have been issued to all the police stations that individuals holding Pakistani visas must not stay beyond 48 hours. Legal action will be initiated against those found overstaying,” Mr. Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, told reporters on Saturday.

A senior Maharashtra Home Department official said that a total of 55 Pakistani nationals with short-term visas have been asked to leave. As per data shared by the official, 18 of those are in Nagpur, 19 in Thane, 12 in Jalgaon, three in Pune, and one each in the districts of Navi Mumbai, Mumbai, and Raigad.

Speaking to The Hindu, M.P. Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) A. Sai Manohar said they have started the process to identify and locate Pakistani residents whose visas are set to expire on Sunday.

While Mr. Manohar did not disclose the numbers, a senior State Home Department official said there are around 235 Pakistanis in M.P. “Most of them have already been directed to leave, and many are on their way out. But we will double-check data to be sure,” the official added.