New guidelines issued by the Union Home Ministry have brought major relief to Hindu migrants from Pakistan living in the border districts of Rajasthan. The central government has now allowed Pakistani citizens holding Long-Term Visas (LTVs) to continue staying in India. Following the implementation of these new guidelines, more than 1,000 LTV applications have been filed in Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Barmer.
As per the revised rules, Pakistani citizens residing in India on an LTV will no longer be required to leave the country. Even if their LTV has expired, they can now apply for an extension.
Additionally, Pakistani citizens who have applied for an LTV or whose applications are under consideration will not be deported. Fresh applications with valid documents are also being accepted by the authorities.
Apart from Hindu migrants, Muslim women residing in India on LTVs due to marriage with Indian citizens are also permitted to stay.
The Foreigners Registration Office in Jodhpur has launched a special campaign to register Pakistani citizens and process LTV applications.
Notably, after the Pahalgam terror attack heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, many Pakistani citizens living in India on LTVs faced uncertainty. Most of them are persecuted Hindus who came to India seeking refuge and were awaiting Indian citizenship.
Hindu Singh Sodha of Lok Seemant Sangthan, an organisation working for Hindu migrants, said the new guidelines offer a major relief, as many of these individuals have nothing left in Pakistan. Forcing them to return would have been an injustice, he added.
