Delhi High Court Examines Pakistani Woman's Plea to Reunite with Indian Husband After Visa Cancellation

New Delhi:

The Delhi High Court on Monday requested a response from the Centre regarding a petition filed by a Pakistani woman seeking permission to enter India to reunite with her husband, who is an Indian citizen.

Justice Sachin Datta issued a notice to the Government of India and other parties concerning the plea submitted by Ruqaiya Obaeed and her husband Ubada Abul Barakat Farooqi, a Delhi resident, challenging the central government's order cancelling all visas following the Pahalgam terror attack.

The Pakistani woman, who was instructed to return to Pakistan by Indian authorities, is now seeking a long-term visa to remain in India.

Her petition requests the government to issue a fresh visit visa or alternative suitable entry permission enabling her to maintain conjugal relations with her Indian husband.

The judge has instructed the government to submit their response to the petition by November 12.

Representing the petitioner, senior advocate Sanjeev Sagar, alongside advocate Nazia Parveen, argued that the families of the couple have maintained a relationship spanning generations, with regular visits to each other's countries.

They stated that the woman entered India on April 5, 2025, through the Attari-Wagah Border to live with her husband.

On April 25, the Indian government issued visa cancellation orders in response to what was described as a "diabolical, horrendous, and inhuman terrorist attack" in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025.

Following this attack, the government decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect.