States swing into action after Amit Shah calls on chief ministers to identify Pakistanis staying in India

In the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to all chief ministers and asked them to identify all Pakistanis staying in India. Shah urged the CMs to send a list to the Centre so that their visas could be cancelled. 

 

After Shah’s directive, chief ministers started the process of preparing the list and identifying the Pakistani nations staying in their respective states. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said that police stations in the state were directed to ensure that Pakistanis do not stay on with their visas cancelled. 

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"A list of all Pakistani nationals present in the state is ready and we are monitoring them. All police stations have been asked to ensure that Pakistani nationals leave the country within the stipulated time. If there is delay and overstay, necessary action will be taken against the concerned persons," Fadnavis told reporters. 

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The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday announced that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES). MEA also gave directions for those currently staying in India under the SVES visa to leave the country within 48 hours. 

 

Amid tensions, Shah also held a key meeting with senior officials to discuss the future course of action on the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with Pakistan. Union Minister for Jal Shakti, C.R. Patil and other senior officials attended the meeting. 

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According to sources, the water going to Pakistan will be stopped under the Indus Waters Treaty. Patil has hinted that the Centre is prepared with the short-term and long-term plan.

 

After the attack, India has already informed Pakistan of its decision to temporarily suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with immediate effect. India's decision came after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Tuesday. 

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Under the treaty, India has the exclusive rights to the water of the eastern rivers- the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi. While western rivers- Indus, Jhelum and Chenab- were largely allocated to Pakistan. 

 

Meanwhile, Pakistan has rejected India's suspension of the treaty and said any measures to stop the flow of water "belonging to Pakistan" under the pact will be seen as an "act of war". 

 

Meanwhile, as many as 191 Pakistani nationals returned, while 287 Indians came back through the Attari border. India had announced that those who crossed the Attari-Wagah border with valid documents should return through the route by May 1, 2025. 

 

"Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till April 29. All Pakistani nationals currently in India must leave India before the expiry of visas, as now amended," a press release said.

India