Pakistani Woman Deported After Pahalgam Attack To Be Granted Visitor Visa; Here's Why

Last Updated:August 02, 2025, 08:53 IST

Rakshanda’s long-term visa (LTV) had expired in January, prompting her to apply for its renewal. However, she was deported after the Pahalgam attack.

Pakistani at the Integrated Check Post at the Attari-Wagah border to move to their country, near Amritsar following the Pahalgam attack (PTI File)

A Pakistani woman, who was deported following the Pahalgam attack, will be given a visitor visa, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs told the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Rakshanda Rashid, 62, who had been living in Jammu for 38 years after marrying a local, was deported after India cancelled the visa of all Pakistani nationals after the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. Her husband, Sheikh Zahoor Ahmed, is the chairman of the Muslim Front, Jammu.

According to advocate Ankur Sharma,"The UT government and Government of India had challenged a previous single-judge order wherein it was directed to bring back Rakshanda from Pakistan within 10 days following her deportation. The authorities have now agreed to issue a visitor visa to her."

Rakshanda’s long-term visa (LTV) had expired in January, prompting her to apply for its renewal. While the application was still under consideration, the Pahalgam attack occurred. Soon after, in line with the Centre’s directive to deport all Pakistani citizens, she was asked to return to Pakistan.

Solicitor General of India, Tushar Mehta, appearing for the home ministry, told the division bench that “after much deliberation and considering the peculiarity of facts… an in-principle decision was taken to grant a visitor visa to the respondent."

He also assured that a visitor’s visa will be processed and given to her at the earliest.

The division bench noted that once the woman complies with the required process, she may continue to follow up on her two pending applications with the authorities—one for Indian citizenship and the other for a long-term visa.

Location :

Jammu, India, India

First Published:

August 02, 2025, 08:53 IST

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