Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 28: In a major drive across Maharashtra, police officials have been working overtime to ensure that Pakistani nationals residing on short-term visas exit the state within the government’s stipulated deadline. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday asserted that not a single Pakistani citizen had gone underground and assured that all would be repatriated by Monday.

However, according to home department records, 107 Pakistani nationals remain untraceable or have allegedly gone underground. The data reveals that there are 5,023 Pakistani citizens living in various parts of Maharashtra (excluding Mumbai), including 2,740 on long-term visas and 2,088 with visa extensions. Of these, 34 have overstayed and are living illegally, while three are currently lodged in jail.

Nagpur tops the list with 2,458 Pakistani nationals, followed by Thane city (1,106), Jalgaon (393), Pimpri Chinchwad (290), and Navi Mumbai (239). Officials noted that most of the Pakistanis on long-term visas are Sindhis who migrated from Pakistan over the years. "Those on short-term visas have been directed to leave by Sunday, while those on medical visas have been granted time until Tuesday," a senior official informed.

Following the terrorist attack at Pahalgam, the Mumbai police swiftly deported 17 Pakistani nationals who were on tourist and medical visas. "All were sent back after completing due formalities on April 26 and 27," an officer said, adding that those receiving medical treatment were given extensions till April 29 to complete their exit formalities.

Meanwhile, the Thane police Commissionerate has directed all zonal officials to monitor Pakistani nationals staying on short-term visas vigilantly. In Ulhasnagar alone, 17 Pakistani citizens were identified and ordered to leave India by April 28.

Similarly, the Navi Mumbai police scrutinized documents of 200 Pakistani nationals, with three individuals on short-term visas sent back on April 25. Commissioner of Police Milind Bharambe clarified that most Pakistanis in Navi Mumbai hold long-term visas, with a significant majority being Hindus who migrated to India in 2013. “Those with approved long-term visas are being allowed to stay. Of the few pending applications, four individuals are married to Indian citizens," Bharambe noted.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, meanwhile, struck a hardline tone. "As PM Narendra Modi has warned, Pakistani citizens will have to leave immediately. If 107 of them are missing, police will trace and act against them without mercy," he said, warning of strict action against those sheltering Pakistani nationals.

Home department officials clarified that the majority of the 5,023 Pakistani citizens — primarily Sindhis — have been excluded from the central government's directive. Those on diplomatic and official visas have also been exempted.

Gurumukh Jagwani, former MLC, pointed out that over 5,000 Sindhis who migrated from Pakistan live in Maharashtra. "Their visas are renewed every five years, and they can apply for Indian citizenship after residing here for seven years. Over 1,000 Sindhis have already received citizenship in the past eight months," he said.