55 Pakistani Nationals in Maharashtra Ordered to Leave by April 27; 3 Reside in Pune

Mumbai/Pune, 26th April 2025: The Maharashtra government has identified 55 Pakistani nationals currently residing in the state on short-term visas, all of whom have been instructed to leave India by April 27 following visa cancellations by the Union government.

Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Iqbal Singh Chahal confirmed that the directive came after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sought a detailed account from states regarding foreign nationals with expiring or cancelled visas. “As per our data, there are 19 individuals in Thane, 18 in Nagpur, 12 in Jalgaon, three in Pune, and one each in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Raigad. The Union home and external affairs ministries have instructed these individuals to exit the country by April 27,” Chahal said.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also addressed the issue during a press briefing in Mumbai on Friday. “The Centre has made it clear—no Pakistani national with a cancelled visa is permitted to remain in India beyond the specified deadline. We have compiled a list and instructed all local police stations to ensure that they depart within 48 hours,” said Fadnavis.

He emphasized that legal action will be initiated against any individual found overstaying. “We are keeping a close watch. If anyone fails to comply with the directive, the law will take its course,” he warned.
Fadnavis added that he had discussed the situation with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and that the state would proceed as per central government instructions.

When asked about a film featuring a Pakistani actor, the Chief Minister was unequivocal. “We do not support or sympathize with Pakistani actors or sportspersons,” he stated.

In a separate update, Fadnavis said that a significant number of tourists from Maharashtra stranded in Jammu and Kashmir had been safely brought back.

The CM also took a swipe at the Shiv Sena (UBT) for boycotting a recent all-party meeting. “Historically, during times of external threat, all parties have stood united. Even in 1971, Atal Bihari Vajpayee backed Indira Gandhi. But today, some are displaying narrow-mindedness, which the public will not forget,” he said.