Amritsar: More than 30 Pakistani nationals, including pregnant women, elderly citizens, and families with children, have been left stranded on the Indian side of the Attari-Wagah border after Pakistan refused to open its gates on Thursday, May 1.
This comes after India decided to keep its border open, in a reversal of an earlier decision to close it from April 30.
Families in Distress as Return Blocked
The sudden closure from the Pakistani side has left many in emotional and logistical turmoil. Among those stuck is Rova, an eight-month pregnant woman from Karachi, who is married to a Delhi resident. “My son is suffering from high fever. How can I leave my sick child behind? I should either be allowed to take my child with me or stay back in India,” she told reporters, explaining her dilemma as her child is an Indian citizen while she holds a Pakistani passport.
Suraj Kumar, another Pakistani national, shared that he had travelled to India with his elderly mother on a pilgrimage. “I came to India ten days ago on a 45-day visa, but was told to leave early. When I reached Attari at 6:00 AM today to return, I found the gates shut,” he said.
Similarly, Naamra, an Indian woman married to a Pakistani citizen, pleaded to be allowed across. “My family is in Lahore. I am standing here, hoping Pakistan will allow me in. I just want to be with my family,” she said.
India Extends Border Access, Pakistan Remains Silent
The Ministry of Home Affairs modified its earlier border closure order, permitting Pakistani nationals to exit India via the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari until further notice. However, Pakistan has not reciprocated, and no official explanation has been provided.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities allowed a few Pakistan nationals to stay on humanitarian grounds, including a woman who recently gave birth and an elderly resident from Rajouri with eight children in India. Others, lacking valid documentation to prove Pakistani nationality, were taken back to Jammu and Kashmir.
So far, 911 Pakistani citizens have exited India in the last seven days, while nearly three dozen remain caught at the border.
