On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) clarified that Hindu Pakistani nationals who have already been granted Long Term Visas (LTVs) will not be affected by the recent suspension of visa services for Pakistani citizens; their visas will stay valid. In an official press release, the MEA clarified, “With reference to the Government of India’s decision dated 24 April to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals, it is clarified that the revocation of visas mentioned in the said decision does not apply to Long Term Visas (LTVs) already issued to Hindu Pakistani nationals. These LTVs remain valid.”

This clarification comes after India announced the immediate suspension of all visa services for Pakistani citizens, following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday. The attack, which happened at the Baisaran meadow, killed 26 people, 25 of them Indian and one Nepali, and injured many others. It is being called one of the most severe attacks in the region since the Pulwama incident in 2019.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced, “In continuation of the decisions taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend all visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.” The statement also said, “All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April. However, medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will remain valid until 29 April.”

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has asked Pakistani nationals in India to leave before their revised visas expire. Indian citizens have been strongly warned against travelling to Pakistan, and those already there are urged to return home as soon as possible.

In a firm diplomatic reaction to Pakistan’s alleged ongoing support for cross-border terrorism, India has announced several new measures. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 has been suspended, the Attari Check Post has been shut down, and all officials from the Pakistani High Commission have been declared persona non grata and given a week to leave India. Moreover, visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) have been revoked, and Pakistani holders have been told to leave within 48 hours. These decisions were made during a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and accompanied by Home Minister Amit Shah and top security officials.