88 Pakistani nationals with Long-Term Visas, including 14 in Bhatkal, exempted from deportation

Bhatkal, April 28: Following the Central Government's recent exemption order for those holding Long-Term Visas (LTVs), around 88 Pakistani nationals residing in Karnataka, including 14 in Bhatkal, have been relieved from the threat of deportation. The move comes as a relief to families who were earlier facing uncertainty after a nationwide directive to cancel all visas issued to Pakistani citizens.

After the recent terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Government had ordered cancellation of all categories of visas granted to Pakistani nationals and directed authorities to initiate deportation procedures. However, in a follow-up order, the government granted exemption to those with long-term visas, sparing many from expulsion.

Speaking to media persons in Karwar, Uttara Kannada Superintendent of Police M. Narayan clarified that Pakistani nationals residing in the district are on long-term visas and hence are not subject to deportation. “They are on a long-term visa and will not be sent back. They cannot be deported,” he said.

According to the SP, there are 15 Pakistani nationals living in Uttara Kannada district—14 in Bhatkal and one in Karwar. Among them, 12 are women and 3 are children. Most of these women belong to the Muslim Nawayath community and are married to relatives from Bhatkal who had migrated to Pakistan before India’s partition. These marriages are part of longstanding family connections between the Nawayath community across borders.

SP Narayan further stated that the LTVs issued to these individuals are renewed every two years, and many of them have already applied for Indian citizenship. However, their applications are still under process and have not yet been approved.

He also highlighted that such cross-border marriages are common in the Nawayath community, and in such cases, the Indian government usually grants long-term visas to women entering India after marriage.

The clarification has come as a relief for several families in Bhatkal who were worried about the uncertainty following the cancellation of Pakistani visas earlier this month.