Many Pakistani Hindu families who had crossed into India, selling everything they owned in Pakistan in search of a better future, are now facing a bleak future. With the Indian government’s directive ordering Pakistani nationals without valid Long Term Visas (LTVs) to leave by April 27, these families are trapped in uncertainty, with little to no hope of returning to their homeland. They came to India seeking safety, but now they are unsure of their next step, forced to confront a reality where they might be sent back to a country where they have no homes, livelihoods, or prospects.
Facing Deportation Amid Rising Tensions
The Indian government’s directive, which followed the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, has placed immense pressure on these families. Many of them had sold their properties, businesses, and homes in Pakistan to start anew in India. Now, they are desperately trying to legalize their stay by applying for Long Term Visas (LTVs), but time is running out.
Among those desperately seeking assistance is an 18-member Hindu family from Sindh province who arrived in India on April 19. They sold everything they had in Pakistan and came to visit relatives on a 45-day visa. Now, they are pleading for a permanent stay in India, as they have nowhere to return to in Pakistan. “We want peace and a future for our children. We request the government to allow us to stay here,” said Suresh, a member of the family.
Similar stories are unfolding in Barmer, where many other families who crossed through the Attari border in April face the same predicament. These families had hoped for a fresh start but are now trapped between the Indian government’s deadline and their hopes for a secure future. Among them is Satradas from Umerkot, who arrived with his family, and Hamirmal from Sindh, who is still waiting for a decision on his LTV application.
Stranded Families and Uncertainty
One of the more poignant stories is that of Swaroop Singh, a Pakistani national whose daughter is an Indian citizen. He had planned to attend her wedding on April 29, but due to the strained relations between the two countries, he is being forced to return to Pakistan, missing the event.
The families have applied for Long Term Visas and have informed the relevant authorities of their intentions. However, with the April 27 deadline now passed, authorities are set to begin deportation procedures for those who have not complied. Despite the tragic situation, these families continue to hold onto the hope that the Indian government might show humanitarian consideration in their time of distress.
