Pahalgam aftermath: Pakistan woman loses fight to stay with husband in India

For Pakistani national Sheena Naz, love had built a bridge across borders. Married to an Indian citizen, she had made a home, a life and countless memories in India. On Saturday, her hopes of continuing that life were shattered in the confines of the Delhi High Court.

Naz pleaded for compassion — a chance to stay by her husband’s side. On April 23, she had applied for a long-term visa, and asked that her residential permit, valid until May 9, 2025, not be revoked.

She had hoped that love and family ties would outweigh the tightening tide of political tensions but fate intervened harshly. In the wake of the terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government suspended visa services for Pakistani nationals on April 24, ordering all of them to leave the country by April 27.

The government all in all revoked 14 categories of visas, including those of business, conference, visitor and pilgrim, issued to Pakistani citizens effective April 27, with exceptions made only for those on long term, diplomatic or official visas. Pakistani nationals currently in India on medical visas have been granted a brief extension and must depart by April 29.

In a desperate bid, Naz turned to the court. At a special Saturday hearing, Justice Sachin Datta listened as her counsel appealed for mercy. Yet the court stood firm, citing serious national security concerns.

“Prima facie, the aforesaid order issued under Section 3(1) of the Foreigners Act, 1946, does not warrant any judicial review given that the issuance of the same was impelled by serious national security considerations,” the court order read.

The judge added that carving out exceptions — even for cases like Naz’s — was beyond the court’s authority. Seeing no opening, Naz’s lawyer withdrew the petition. In a few stark words, the court dismissed her plea as withdrawn, closing the chapter on her legal fight.

Delhi