Pakistan has, refused to open its gates at the Attari-Wagah border, leaving several of its own nationals including elderly pilgrims and women stranded on Indian soil. This comes even as the Indian government has shown unwavering commitment to upholding both national security and humanitarian values in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 innocent civilians, including women and children.
The terror strike, which has sent shockwaves across Bharat, is widely seen as a brutal continuation of the long history of state-sponsored cross-border terrorism rooted in Pakistan. In a decisive and strategic move to safeguard internal security, the Indian government swiftly revoked select visa categories and ordered the exit of Pakistani nationals staying on short-term visas.
While India facilitated an orderly and dignified repatriation process, ensuring safety and logistical support to departing Pakistani nationals, Islamabad responded with silence, evasion—and finally, betrayal. Pakistan’s refusal to open the border gates at Attari on May 1 is not only diplomatically irresponsible but morally reprehensible.
Among those left stranded in the scorching sun at Attari was Suraj Kumar, a Pakistani citizen who had travelled to India with his elderly mother for a pilgrimage to Haridwar. “We came on a 45-day visa. I was informed to leave early due to the new order. But when I reached Attari early in the morning, the gates were shut. There is no one from the Pakistani side, no help, no message. India has done its part,” he said, visibly distressed.
Another stranded individual, Harsh Kumar, pleaded with Pakistani authorities: “I have been waiting since 5 am. My documents are in order. India has allowed us through. Why is our own government refusing to take us back? We are treated better here than by our own country.”
India has not obstructed the departure of any Pakistani national. Rather, security and immigration officials at the Indian side of the border have been working overtime to manage the increased footfall and ensure a smooth exit, despite heightened security concerns following the attack.
But Pakistan’s inaction—bordering on contempt for its own people—has laid bare the grim reality: for Islamabad, even its own citizens are expendable when it comes to scoring political points against India.
There has been no official statement from Islamabad explaining this refusal. The absence of a response only amplifies Pakistan’s hypocrisy it expects diplomatic courtesies for its officials, demands human rights narratives when convenient, and rants about “Kashmir”, while refusing to honor the most basic humanitarian responsibility: allowing its own people back home.
This cold-blooded response raises a critical question: What kind of state abandons its own citizens at a foreign border while pretending to care about Muslims across the world?
The tragedy is not limited to Pakistani nationals. An Indian citizen, Naamra, who is married to a Pakistani man, is also caught in the crossfire. She had come to the border to reunite with her husband and daughter in Lahore. “My family is on the other side. India has allowed me to travel. Pakistan is not responding. I am stuck emotionally, physically, politically,” she said.
Since the announcement of the exit directive, 911 Pakistani nationals have safely departed through the Attari-Wagah border in just seven days 125 on April 30 alone. India has handled the exodus with dignity, ensuring that the directives are implemented within legal and humanitarian frameworks.
India also facilitated the entry of 224 Pakistani nationals who hold long-term Indian visas and allowed 152 Indian nationals to return from Pakistan, showcasing commitment to bilateral arrangements even during difficult times.
The exit deadlines—April 26 for SAARC visas, April 27 for general short-term categories, and April 29 for medical visas were communicated in advance, and authorities on the Indian side worked around the clock to ensure minimal inconvenience to those affected.
