Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Apr 26: Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara announced on Saturday that the state government is actively tracking Pakistani nationals residing in the state and initiating their deportation, following an advisory from the Central government.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Parameshwara said, “The authorities are in the process of identifying Pakistani nationals. All officers of Superintendent of Police (SP) rank and above have been sensitised and briefed on the matter.”
He noted that the advisory from the Centre, received on Friday, instructed states to act against Pakistani nationals residing on certain types of visas. "It seems they have provided exemptions for individuals holding long-term visas. However, for those on tourist visas and some other categories, steps are being taken to ensure they leave immediately," he said.
The Home Minister clarified that Pakistani nationals who fall outside the exempted categories are already being asked to leave. "We are acting according to the directions of the Centre," he asserted.
When asked about the number of Pakistani nationals currently living in Karnataka, Parameshwara said he did not have exact figures but confirmed that officials were monitoring the situation in every district, including Bengaluru.
Importantly, he pointed out that Pakistani students would also be required to leave as there was no exemption mentioned for them in the advisory.
"A continuous security alert is in place since the terror attack in Pahalgam, and all Director Generals of Police (DGPs) across the country have been informed," Parameshwara said, describing the process as ongoing.
He reiterated that the Centre’s advisory categorized different visa types but broadly mandated the departure of Pakistani nationals across these categories.
"Everyone spoke about an intelligence failure initially, and I have issued a statement regarding that as well," he added.
The move comes amid heightened security concerns across India following recent terrorist attacks.