Long-term visas to Pak Hindus |
As many as 431 Pakistani nationals, mostly Hindus, have been granted long-term visas by the government of India, thus making them eligible for PAN and Aadhaar cards as well as allowing them to buy property. The move, amidst the strained India-Pak relations, is in line with the Narendra Modi government`s policy to help minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who come to India after facing alleged persecution in their home country. The Ministry of Home Affairs granted long-term visas to 431 Pakistani nationals last month. They are from minority communities of that country. Under the latest policy of India, those belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, namely --Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians-- staying in India on long-term visas, are allowed to purchase a small dwelling unit sufficient to serve the needs of a family for self-use and suitable accommodation for carrying out self-employment. However, they are barred from buying immovable property in and around restricted or protected areas, including cantonment regions. Such communities are also allowed to obtain PAN cards, Aadhaar numbers and driving licences, take up self-employment or do business, and are allowed free movement within the state of their stay and transfer of long-term visa papers from one state to another.
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