The Foreign Office on Friday firmly rejected Indian media reports suggesting that Pakistan had shut down the Wagah border crossing for its nationals amid heightened tensions following a deadly attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The clarification came after Indian media outlets, including the Times of India, claimed that Pakistan had ‘refused’ to open the Wagah gate, allegedly leaving several Pakistani citizens stranded in India due to a diplomatic standoff.
However, Pakistan’s Foreign Office dismissed the claim, stating that the Wagah-Attari border crossing remains open for returning citizens and will continue to be so in the future.
The FO further clarified that the final date for crossing was April 30, 2025, and that the Pakistani authorities remained fully prepared to facilitate the return of their nationals.
“We are aware of media reports that some Pakistani nationals are stranded at Attari,” the statement said. “If the Indian authorities allow our nationals to cross the border on their side, we are ready to welcome them. The Wagah border remains open for Pakistani nationals.”
The controversy emerged in the wake of the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, located in Indian-administered Kashmir, which left 26 people dead, most of them tourists. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region in over two decades.
Following the attack, the Indian government took a series of stringent measures, including the cancellation of visas issued to Pakistani nationals. On April 24, Indian officials announced an immediate suspension of visa services for Pakistanis, citing security concerns.
The move has created numerous humanitarian challenges, according to the Pakistani Foreign Office. “India’s decision to cancel visas of Pakistani nationals is creating serious humanitarian challenges,” it said.
The FO highlighted that critically ill patients had been forced to return without completing their medical treatment in India. “Moreover, there are reports of families being split and children being separated from one of their parents,” it added.
Indian officials, as quoted by news agency AFP, said all Pakistani citizens currently in India would have to exit the country upon the expiry of their visas.
While both countries have experienced strained relations over the years, the situation has escalated sharply in the aftermath of the Pahalgam incident. Despite this, Pakistan reiterated its commitment to facilitating the return of its citizens and maintained that the Wagah crossing remains functional.
