Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday directed all chief ministers to ensure identification and removal of Pakistani citizens from their respective states immediately.
The development came a day after India cancelled all existing visas for Pakistani nationals in a retaliatory move following the devastating terrorist attack that killed 26 people and left several others injured.
As per media reports, Shah's communication with the respective state heads took place after a high-level meeting with top officials.
In the wake of the heinous attack on tourists in Pahalgam, on Thursday, India directed all Pakistani citizens to leave India by April 27. The Centre further stated that Pakistani citizens with medical visas will get an additional two days but will have to leave the country by April 29.
India Cancels Visas For Pakistanis
As part of the multi-pronged diplomatic retaliation by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by PM-Modi, India on Thursday officially suspended all visas for Pakistani nationals.
"In continuation of the decisions made by the Cabinet Committee on Security in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India has decided to suspend visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. All existing valid visas issued by India to Pakistani nationals stand revoked with effect from 27 April 2025. Medical visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be valid only till 29 April 2025," read the official statement issued by MEA.
"Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid travelling to Pakistan. Those Indian nationals currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest," the statement added.
India's Diplomatic Downgrade With Pakistan
On Wednesday, briefing an over two-hour long cabinet meeting presided by PM Modi, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced India's key offensives against Pakistan in view of the brutal terrorist attack.
Apart from visa revocation for Pakistani nationals, India's diplomatic offensives also included suspension of 1960 Indus Water Treaty with immediate effect till Pakistan stops cross border terrorism and closure of Integrated Check Post at Attari as well.
The cabinet also decided declared all Pakistani military attaches in India persona non grata and also announced the withdrawal its military attaches from Pakistan.
