Fewer than five Pakistani nationals in Karnataka to be affected by visas being revoked

Most Pakistani nationals in Karnataka will be unaffected by the April 24 decision of the Government of India to revoke visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals. Fewer than five Pakistani nationals who are in Bengaluru, mostly on a medical visa, will see their visas expire on April 29 and will have to return, sources said.

In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India on Thursday decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals, revoke all existing visas effective from April 27 and medical visas from April 29.

However, a majority of Pakistani nationals staying in Karnataka have been exempted from this move, multiple sources said. 

There are a total of 88 Pakistani nationals in Karnataka who have Long Term Visas (LTVs), issued to mostly those who are married to Indian nationals. There are many families in Bhatkal and Mohammedan Block, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru who have marital relationships with their other half of the families settled in Pakistan after partition. Those who have LTVs are exempted from their visas being revoked, multiple sources confirmed.

Apart from this, there are 13 Pakistani nationals in Karnataka’s various prisons, arrested for illegal stay, terror cases, etc. Since they are either here to face trials or serving out sentences, they will also be exempted from this order, sources said.

Published - April 25, 2025 09:18 pm IST