Delhi govt enforces Centre's order, directs Pakistani nationals to leave
New Delhi: In the aftermath of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians—25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen—the Delhi government has enforced the Central Government’s directive instructing all Pakistani nationals to leave India immediately.
On Friday, the Home Department of the Government of the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi issued an official notification stating that all existing valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals—excluding medical, diplomatic, and long-term visas—will stand revoked effective April 27, 2025. Medical visas currently in force will become invalid after April 29. The order also halts the issuance of any new visas to Pakistani citizens.
This measure is part of a wider set of retaliatory actions taken by the Indian government following the April 22 attack in Baisaran meadow, Jammu and Kashmir, which India claims was carried out by Pakistan-based terrorists. Pakistan has denied involvement.
The Indian government has also suspended the Indus Water Treaty, a key 1960 agreement governing water-sharing between the two countries. A note verbale—a formal diplomatic communication—was issued to the Pakistan High Commission, placing the treaty in abeyance. The government cited continued cross-border terrorism as a breach of the treaty’s conditions.
Further diplomatic escalations include India revoking the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals and declaring Pakistan’s defence, naval, and air advisors in the High Commission as persona non grata, ordering their departure within a week. India has also withdrawn its corresponding personnel from Islamabad and announced a mutual drawdown in diplomatic staff, reducing strength from 55 to 30 at both missions by 1 May 2025.
These actions have taken place alongside the closure of cross-border transit routes, such as the Attari border, and the government's stated intent to block Indus River waters from flowing into Pakistan, in a move aimed at asserting India’s full rights over river usage under the suspended treaty framework.
While the measures reflect India's strong diplomatic and security response, questions remain about the broader consequences. Experts have warned of potential humanitarian and economic fallout, particularly for Pakistani civilians who may face disruption in accessing medical or long-term support services. The agriculture sector in Pakistan could also be severely affected by the withdrawal of Indus water flows, depending on how the situation evolves.
Observers have called for both countries to exercise restraint and return to diplomatic channels to prevent further deterioration of bilateral ties. The international community continues to express concern over rising tensions in the region, especially given the history of conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
This wave of measures, while rooted in security concerns, also disrupts ordinary lives—raising the question of how far governments should go in conflict situations before innocent civilians on either side bear the cost.
(With ANI imputs)