India Cancels ‘Visa-Free’ Access for Pakistanis After Militant Attack in Kashmir

International Desk

India has canceled the ‘SAARC visa-free’ program for Pakistani citizens following an armed militant attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Additionally, the long-standing Indus Water Treaty with Islamabad has been annulled. Tensions have escalated along the border between the two countries after the attack. India has directed Pakistanis to leave the country within 48 hours.

This decision was made during an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee of the Indian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday. Following the meeting, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri announced, “The permission granted to Pakistani citizens to enter India under the SAARC visa-free program will no longer be valid. Those who have already been issued such visas will be deemed invalid.”

He further stated that Pakistani citizens currently in India on this visa have been instructed to leave within 48 hours. Additionally, the Attari border security checkpoint between the two nations has been immediately closed.

New Delhi holds Islamabad responsible for the attack in Kashmir. Indian authorities allege that Pakistan supports armed insurgents in Kashmir—a claim Pakistan has consistently denied.

Tara Kartha, Director of the Delhi-based think tank Center for Land Warfare Studies (CLWS), remarked, “This is a war-like move. Just days before the attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Army Chief made a provocative statement. The attack followed soon after.”

Analysts suggest that India’s recent measures—particularly the cancellation of the water treaty and visa privileges—are strategies to increase pressure on Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.