Pakistani nationals flock to Attari-Wagah border after India suspends SAARC visa exemption scheme; watch

NEW DELHI: Pakistani nationals have been queuing up at the Attari-Wagah border following India's decision to suspend the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). This drastic step was taken in response to the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 28 dead, including several tourists.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened to discuss measures after the attack, which has been attributed to cross-border terrorism. As part of the government's action, it was decided that Pakistani nationals currently in India under SVES would be required to leave within 48 hours. The suspension of the scheme is seen as one of several measures aimed at putting pressure on Pakistan over its alleged support for terrorism.
In addition to the visa suspension, India has expelled several Pakistani military diplomats, declaring them "Persona Non Grata." Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the Indian government has also closed the Integrated Check Post at Attari, halting the flow of goods and people through the crucial border checkpoint. Pakistan nationals holding valid endorsements may return via the same route before May 2025.

India has also taken a firm stance on the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), announcing that the treaty would be held in abeyance until Pakistan "credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism." The Indus system of rivers is vital to both nations, and this move could significantly impact water distribution between them.
Pradeep Kumar Saxena, India's former Indus Water Commissioner, explained that India could take further steps that may include halting its commitments under the treaty, which governs the sharing of river waters between the two countries. This could include unrestricted control over water storage and distribution on rivers flowing into Pakistan.
As the diplomatic standoff intensifies, the situation at the Attari-Wagah border remains tense, with many Pakistani nationals stranded as they await the implementation of India's new policies. The government's message is clear: the cost of continued terrorism will be borne by those responsible.