Pakistan Voices Deep Concern Over Humanitarian Fallout Of India’s Visa Revocations

Publish Date: 02, May 2025

Published BY: Admin

ISLAMABAD – May 2, 2025
Pakistan has strongly condemned India’s recent unilateral decision to revoke visas granted to Pakistani citizens, raising serious concerns about the humanitarian fallout stemming from the move. The Pakistani Foreign Office has criticized the abrupt cancellation of valid travel permissions, which has disrupted medical treatment, split families, and left numerous citizens stranded at the Attari-Wagah land border.

This development has added a fresh layer of tension between the neighboring nations and has sparked international attention due to its significant impact on human lives—particularly patients and families visiting loved ones in India.

A Blow to Patients and Families Sudden Visa Cancellation

The visa revocations have affected a large number of Pakistani citizens who were in India for urgent reasons, primarily medical treatment or family visits. According to Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, the cancellations forced many patients—some in extremely fragile health—to return to Pakistan without completing their treatment.

“The Indian decision to revoke visas of Pakistani citizens is creating serious humanitarian challenges,” Khan told the press. “We have received troubling reports of patients in critical condition having to return prematurely, which raises moral and ethical concerns.”

In addition to patients, the decision has had dire consequences for families split across borders. Cases have been reported of children separated from one parent, and elderly parents left without assistance due to canceled travel permissions. These abrupt disruptions have not only caused emotional distress but also practical complications for those already struggling with health and financial burdens.

The Reality on the Ground Stranded at Attari

The situation is even more alarming at the Wagah-Attari border, where several Pakistani nationals remain stranded on the Indian side. The last officially allowed crossing date was April 30, 2025, but reports indicate that some citizens were unable to return due to administrative hurdles and transportation issues.

Pakistan has made it clear that it is willing to receive its citizens at Wagah, should Indian authorities facilitate their departure.

“We are open to receiving our citizens in case the Indian authorities allow them to cross the border from their side,” said the FO spokesperson.

This situation raises questions about cross-border coordination and the ability of both governments to uphold basic human rights in times of administrative or political shifts.

A Precarious Bridge Medical Tourism Between India and Pakistan

p>Over the past two decades, India has become a popular destination for Pakistani patients due to its advanced healthcare facilities and relatively affordable treatment options. Despite the strained diplomatic ties between the two nations, thousands of Pakistanis have received life-saving surgeries, cancer treatments, and specialized diagnostics at Indian hospitals.

The sudden cessation of visas now places medical tourists in a vulnerable position. Patients who have already spent substantial sums on consultations, hospital bookings, and travel arrangements are facing not only financial loss but potential health deterioration due to disrupted care.

A Call for Humanitarian Diplomacy

Pakistan has urged the Indian government to adopt a humanitarian perspective when dealing with such sensitive issues. Diplomacy, it argues, should not come at the cost of human suffering, particularly in cases involving health and family welfare.

“We urge the Indian government to act responsibly and humanely in such situations, keeping in mind the welfare of the affected individuals,” Khan added.

Analysts note that humanitarian diplomacy—which prioritizes compassion, ethics, and individual welfare—must supersede hardline political decisions, especially in regions with shared cultural and familial ties like South Asia.

Wagah Border to Remain Open on Pakistan Side

Despite the challenges, Pakistan has reaffirmed its openness to facilitating the return of its citizens. The Wagah border crossing, one of the most iconic and crucial links between the two nations, will remain operational from the Pakistani side for citizens holding valid documentation or those stranded due to India’s decision.

This stance underscores Islamabad’s efforts to separate humanitarian needs from political rhetoric and reflects a commitment to the welfare of its overseas nationals.

Regional Impact Straining People-to-People Ties

India and Pakistan have had a long and complicated relationship, marred by wars, border skirmishes, and political deadlock. Yet, people-to-people exchanges—particularly in the fields of medicine, academia, and culture—have remained important channels of soft diplomacy.

The visa cancellations threaten to erode this fragile bridge by curbing interpersonal engagement, thereby increasing distrust and reducing cultural empathy between ordinary citizens of both countries.

Social scientists argue that people-centered diplomacy often does more to promote peace than formal treaties. Actions like revoking visas, especially those that affect the ill and elderly, send a distressing signal to advocates of peaceful coexistence.

International Reaction and Human Rights Angle

While there has been limited response from international bodies so far, human rights organizations are beginning to take note. The arbitrary cancellation of visas without due warning or humanitarian consideration may violate international norms related to human mobility, the right to healthcare, and family reunification.

Pakistan is expected to raise the issue in upcoming regional forums, urging the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to assess the impact and urge remedial actions.

Diplomatic Communication Channels Must Be Strengthened

This incident has exposed the lack of emergency protocols and weak communication channels between the two countries regarding citizen welfare. Experts suggest that both governments must work towards establishing a bilateral humanitarian mechanism that operates independently of political or military tensions.

Such mechanisms can ensure that cross-border patients, students, and visiting family members are treated with dignity and support even during times of diplomatic uncertainty.

Looking Ahead What Needs to Be Done

Pakistan’s firm yet measured response reflects its commitment to diplomacy, citizen welfare, and responsible international conduct. However, it also emphasizes the urgent need for:

India to reassess its visa policy toward Pakistani citizens in humanitarian categories.
Reopening of communication lines for managing emergencies involving stranded nationals.
Third-party diplomatic mediation, if needed, to resolve such issues without escalating political tensions.

Both governments must prioritize human lives and dignity over political point-scoring.

Key Notes

The recent revocation of visas by India has caused deep distress among Pakistani citizens and raised significant humanitarian concerns. While political decisions often come with strategic calculations, they must also account for ethical responsibilities—especially when lives, health, and family unity are at stake.

Pakistan’s stance highlights a mature diplomatic approach rooted in human rights and public welfare. Moving forward, both nations have a responsibility to ensure that innocent civilians do not become collateral damage in regional politics. In the interest of peace, health, and humanity, cooperation—not confrontation—must prevail.