Deported Woman to Return from Pakistan on Visitor Visa After Pahalgam Attack

Rapid Summary

• Background: Rakshanda Rashid, a 62-year-old Pakistani citizen married to an Indian, lived in Jammu for 38 years on a renewable Long-Term Visa (LTV) and applied for Indian citizenship in 1996.
• Deportation: After the pahalgam terror attack on April 22, visas of all Pakistani nationals were canceled by the Ministry of Home affairs (MHA). Ms.Rashid was deported despite directives exempting Muslim women married to Indians and pending LTV applications from deportation.
• Legal proceedings: Her family moved court in May seeking repatriation.On june 6, the High Court ordered the Union Home Secretary to bring her back within 10 days-a decision challenged by MHA as unenforceable under international law.
• Goverment Decision: Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta informed the court on July 30 that after deliberations, authorities decided to grant Ms.Rashid a visitor’s visa allowing her submission for citizenship and LTV to continue.
• Court’s Clarification: The High court clarified that this decision is based solely on unusual facts specific to this case and will not serve as precedent.
• Current Situation: Ms. rashid awaits formalities at Islamabad’s Indian High Commission; meanwhile, she has faced financial distress while living alone in Pakistan without relatives or resources.

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