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After the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has cancelled the visas of all Pakistani citizens currently staying in the country and asked them to return home immediately. In response, states across India have begun tracing and listing Pakistani nationals residing in their regions. So far, over 23,000 Pakistani citizens have been identified, but this number may be higher as only some states have released official data. The majority are staying on long-term or visiting visas, with Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh reporting the highest figures.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued clear instructions, and state police and intelligence agencies have begun action. Officials said those who voluntarily return before the deadline will avoid penalties. However, anyone overstaying or failing to leave on time will face strict legal action, including detention and prosecution.
The number of Pakistani citizens living in different parts of India is now becoming clear. Uttar Pradesh, one of the most populated states, has reported close to 1,800 Pakistani nationals staying on different types of visas. In South India, over 600 Pakistanis have been identified, with Telangana alone hosting around 208 individuals, mainly in Hyderabad.
Total number of Pakistani citizens living India
| State/UT | Total number of Pakistani nationals | remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | ~1,800 | On various visas; 35 in Bareilly, 30 in Rampur, 18 in Bulandshahr, 10 in Varanasi |
| Telangana | ~208 | Mostly in Hyderabad |
| Odisha | ~12 | Asked to leave by April 27 |
| Madhya Pradesh | ~228 | Asked to leave by April 27 |
| Uttarakhand | ~250 | Spread across Dehradun, Haridwar, and Nainital |
| Rajasthan | ~20,000 | Over 6,000 in Jaisalmer on long-term visas |
| Kerala | ~104 | 55 on visiting visas |
| Karnataka | ~88 | Mostly on Long Term Visas; often married to Indian nationals |
| Goa | ~3 | On short-term visas |
| Tamil Nadu | ~180-200 | Nationals are being asked to leave immediately |
| South India (total) | ~780-800 | Includes Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, and Tamil Nadu |
States swing into action to expel Pakistanis
After Union Home Minister Amit Shah called all state chief ministers, urging them to ensure no Pakistani nationals remain in India beyond the deadline, state governments began acting swiftly to identify and expel Pakistani citizens. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, and Odisha confirmed they have identified Pakistani nationals and instructed them to leave by April 27.
Close to 200 people have already crossed over to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border after India cancelled 14 categories of visas following the home minister's call.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said police stations have been instructed to ensure that no Pakistani nationals remain in the state after their visas are cancelled. The state is monitoring the situation closely. Pune district has already asked 111 Pakistani nationals to leave by April 27, though medical visas will be extended for two days.
In Gujarat, the state home minister, Harsh Sanghavi, confirmed that police are ensuring all Pakistani nationals leave the state before the deadline. Similarly, Goa’s Chief Minister Pramod Sawant stated that three Pakistani nationals in the state on short-term visas must leave by the deadline.
Odisha has started deporting Pakistani nationals and identified 12 individuals who are either on long-term or short-term visas.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has instructed district police chiefs to ensure Pakistani nationals exit the region.
A total of 191 Pakistani nationals crossed the Attari-Wagah border back into Pakistan on April 25, following the government's 48-hour deadline. Meanwhile, 287 Indian nationals also returned from Pakistan.
The government cancelled 14 categories of visas, including business, conference, visitor, and pilgrim visas, for Pakistani nationals. However, the order does not apply to those with Long Term Visas or diplomatic and official visas.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan also held a video conference with state chief secretaries to ensure the deadline is met.
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