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Amid such murky cross-border accounts, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey expressed concern over what he described as the ‘new face of Pakistani terrorism’.
Osama, a Pakistani national returning to Pakistan via Attari border, claimed that he has been staying in India for last 17 years and has even voted here.
Another video surfaced on social media of a Pakistani at Attari border, set to return to his country. The media has been speaking to nationals of the neighbouring nation ever since the government issued the ‘Leave India‘ notice to Pakistani nationals. From people arriving in India for medical treatment to those married here — new stories have been emerging daily of Pakistanis unwilling to go to their country. What caught people’s attention in the latest clip is that the Pakistani national “was able to vote in India”.
Osama, a Pakistani national returning to Pakistan via Attari border, told news agency Years“I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree. I wanted to appear for job interviews after my examinations. I have been staying here for the last 17 years.”
“I appeal to the government to give us some time. I have cast my vote here, I have my ration card. I have completed my Class 10th and 12th here, what will I do there? What is my future there?” he asked.
#WATCH | Attari, Punjab: Osama, a Pakistani national returning to Pakistan via Attari Border, says, “…I am currently pursuing my bachelor’s degree. I wanted to appear for job interviews after my examinations. I have been staying here for the last 17 years. I appeal to the… pic.twitter.com/S8dTV92fhC– years (@ani) April 30, 2025
The Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari has been witnessing scenes such scenes since April 25 as India took series of measures to ratchet up pressure on Pakistan, following Pahalgam terror attack on April 22. The measures include putting the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on hold, downgrading diplomatic ties and shutting the Attari-Wagah border.
It has also cancelled all short-term and special visas to Pakistan nationals. Islamabad responded by suspending visas issued to Indian nationals.
When Years uploaded the latest video, social media user were taken aback.
More Like Osama — Pakistanis Living In India
Osama is one among hundreds staying in India. The situation gets murkier as one digs into other cases. Sample this: Madhya Pradesh administration was in a fix when it found out that nine children in their state have Indian mothers and Pakistani fathers.
The police administration had to request guidance from both the Madhya Pradesh government and the Home Ministry regarding the children’s status.
ALSO READ: Will Seema Haider Be Sent Back To Pakistan? We Finally Have The Answer
Is This ‘New Face Of Terrorism’?
Amid such murky cross-border accounts, BJP MP Nishikant dubey expressed worries about what he described as the “new face of Pakistani terrorism”. His statement specifically addressed the situation of Pakistani women who have married and moved to India but remain without Indian citizenship.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Dubey stated that more than five lakh Pakistani women are currently residing in India following their marriages, yet they have not secured Indian citizenship.
“A new face of Pakistani terrorism has now surfaced. More than 5 lakh Pakistani girls are living in India after getting married, but they have not got Indian citizenship till date. How to fight these enemies who have entered inside?” the BJP MP stated.
The comment gave rise to a new debate, with many wondering if Dubey’s terrorism phrase had logic. People have been posting videos of Pakistani nationals narrating their ordeal of going back.
A user, @LogicLitLatte, posted a video of a teary-eyed woman at Attari border, and wrote: “Pakistani husband not answering calls. She has three kids. Dada, Dadi, Father no one is coming to take the Kids. Married for 10 years holds an Indian passport…To get free healthcare, ration, and government schemes.”
Many netizens too raised questions if Indian government schemes for its citizens were being misused.
Osama’s Statement Raises Key Question: Can Pakistanis Vote And Work In India?
‘SVEEP’, the flagship program of the Election Commission of India for voter education, mentions on its website the process of voting for NRIs or overseas electors. There is no mention of voting rights being extended to people of other nationality.
In fact, the voting right is not even extended to people who hold OCI cards. But what is OCI?
OCI is Overseas Citizenship of India. This scheme was introduced by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 in August 2005. It provides for registration as Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on 26th January, 1950 or thereafter or were eligible to become citizens of India on 26th January.
The scheme, however, excludes “a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, specify”.
The Home Ministry’s official website has more details on the question of citizenship and voting rights. It too mentions that neither OCIs can vote nor hold Indian constitutional posts such as that of the President, Vice President, Judges of the Supreme Court, High Court and other courts.
It clearly mentions that OCI is not to be misconstrued as ‘dual citizenship’. It does not confer political rights to vote or contest elections in India.
Other rules for OCI cardholder includes:
• He/she cannot normally hold employment in the Government;
• to undertake any Missionary work, Mountaineering and Journalism work without prior permission of the Govt. of India;
• OCI cardholder shall also require Protected Area Permit (PAP)/Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to visit any place which falls within the Protected/Restricted Area notified by the Government as in the case of any other foreigner.
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