Pak Nationals Living in Karnataka Are Under Long Term Visa Scheme
These residents, many of whom are women married to Indian citizens, have been living in districts such as Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada for over a decade and do not fall under the purview of the latest notification, officials said
Karwar/Mangaluru: Amid the Centre’s directive asking certain Pakistani nationals to leave India by April 27, authorities in coastal Karnataka have clarified that all Pakistani citizens residing in the region are under the Long Term Visa (LTV) scheme and are therefore exempt from the order. These residents, many of whom are women married to Indian citizens, have been living in districts such as Uttara Kannada and Dakshina Kannada for over a decade and do not fall under the purview of the latest notification, officials said.
Speaking to reporters at the Superintendent of Police’s office in Karwar, Uttara Kannada SP M. Narayan said that the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed that Pakistani nationals who are not on LTVs must exit India by the specified date.
“The government has made it clear that only those outside the scope of Long Term Visas must return. In Uttara Kannada, we do not have any individuals eligible for deportation as per the new directive,” the SP emphasized.
"In Uttara Kannada district alone, 15 Pakistani nationals are currently residing—14 in Bhatkal and one in Karwar, which includes 10 women, and there are three children. One individual is involved in a legal case.
All are living here on Long Term Visas," he stated.
A woman from Valki in Honnavar married a Pakistani national and is residing there. Authorities are awaiting the final decision from the Pakistani government regarding her return.
SP Narayan clarified that there are 88 individuals on Long Term Visas and four on Visitor Visas across the state.
The LTV holders, especially those who came through marriage, are not required to leave under the latest government notification. There are 28 different visa categories and the order specifically pertains to those not covered under LTV.
Meanwhile in Mangaluru, City Police Commissioner Anupam Agarwal confirmed that three Pakistani nationals have been residing in the city for the past 12–13 years under the Long Term Visa scheme, as they are married to Indian citizens.
“They are exempt from the current order. Any further updates from the Ministry of Home Affairs will be shared as they come,” he added.