PANAJI: A Pakistani national residing in Goa since 2016 on a Long-Term Visa (LTV) has approached the Supreme Court, following the Centre’s decision to cancel all visas issued to Pakistani nationals in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
As per the government’s directive, all existing valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals, with the exception of medical, diplomatic, official, and long-term visas, stood revoked from April 27. Even medical visas were made valid only up to April 29.
The matter was mentioned before a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Satish Chandra Sharma. When the bench asked the petitioner to go back, the petitioner’s counsel responded that his client was not opposed to returning to Pakistan but sought a hearing as there are specific conditions attached to Long-Term Visas. The counsel also submitted that the petitioner was born in India.
When the bench inquired why the matter had not been taken up before the Goa High Court, the counsel explained that local police had been visiting the petitioner’s residence, prompting the move to the apex court.
After hearing the submissions, the Supreme Court bench agreed to list the matter for a detailed hearing.
