Bhatkal: Following the central government’s exemption order for long-term visas (LTVs), around 88 Pakistani nationals reising in Karnataka, including 14 in Bhatkal, who were facing deportation, have been relieved from the crisis. It is believed that they are free from the threat of deportation.

After the massacre of tourists in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, the Central Government had instructed for the deportation of Pakistani citizens and had cancelled all types of visas issued to them. However, the government issued an order granting an exemption specifically for long-term visas (LTVs).

Talking to media persons in Karwar, Uttara Kannada SP M Narayan clarified that Pakistani nationals in Uttara Kannada are having LTV's so they have not been deporting. He said “They are on a long-term visa and will not leave. They cannot be sent back.

He said that the district has 15 Pakistani nationals, of whom 14 are in Bhatkal and one is in Karwar. Among these 15, 12 are women and three are children. The women from Pakistan nationls in Bhatkal have been married to their Muslim Nawayat relatives who have been settled in Pakistan before the partition of India. Their visas are renewed every two years. They have even applied for Indian citizenship, but so far their applications have not been considered, said SP.

He also added that marital relationships between Nawayath community residing in Bhatkal and Pakistan are common, and the government gives long-term visas to those who enter India after marriages.