In response to the Pahalgam attack, India expelled all Pakistanis and voided their visas. However, all Pakistani citizens had reached the Attari border to return. Meanwhile, Pakistan has closed the Wagah border and flatly refused to take back its citizens. Not a single Pakistani citizen has been allowed entry into their country’s border since morning.
According to sources, Indian officials have confirmed that Pakistan has closed its customs counters from 8 am today, due to which dozens of Pakistani citizens are stuck at the border. Pakistani citizens – including elderly people, women, and children – are now stuck in uncertainty; they have neither income nor food, nor is there any information about their condition.
The Indian government had decided to close the Attari International Border from May 1, but now, taking a humanitarian step, the government has allowed civilian movement till further orders. India has made it clear that Pakistani citizens who are stranded in India can return to their country with their valid travel visa and necessary documents till further orders. This move of India is not only an example of diplomatic balance but also the protection of human rights.
Since the order of the central government, 929 citizens have gone from India to Pakistan so far. 28 citizens on 24 April 2024, 191 on 25 April, 81 citizens on 26 April, 237 citizens on 27 April, 145 citizens on 28 April, 104 on 29 April, and 140 Pakistani citizens on 30 April have gone through the Attari-Wagah border.
India has always worked on humanitarian grounds, but this attitude of Pakistan is reprehensible and uncooperative. By closing the Attari Wagah border, Pakistan has made the common citizens suffer the consequences. India is continuously taking action against Pakistan after the terror attack in Phalgam, due to which an atmosphere of fear has been created in Pakistan. The global community is watching closely as Pakistan’s inaction draws criticism, while India upholds humanitarian values firmly.
