GREATER NOIDA: Seema Haider, who had left her Pakistani husband and entered India with her children for love marriage, has been ordered to leave the country within three days, following the Indian government’s aggressive measures after the Pahalgam incident.
According to Indian media, after the Pahalgam attack, the central government directed all Pakistani citizens residing in India to exit the country by the end of April.
Seema’s lawyer, AP Singh, expressed hope that despite the prevailing hostility, his client would be allowed to stay in India, arguing that Seema was no longer a Pakistani citizen. She had married Indian citizen Sachin Meena, was living in Greater Noida, and had recently given birth to a daughter named Bharti Meena, he added.
Singh contended that Seema’s citizenship status was now linked to her Indian husband, meaning the government’s order should not apply to her. He added that the directives were intended only for those who still held Pakistani citizenship.
He further noted that Seema’s case was different because she was already under investigation by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS).
Singh said a petition had been filed with the President of India requesting permission for Seema to stay. Currently, she is out on bail and complying with all court conditions, including not residing with her in-laws in Rabupura, Greater Noida.
Seema Haider, originally from Sindh, allegedly entered India via Nepal. She was previously married in Pakistan and had four children before moving to India, where she now lives with Sachin Meena in Greater Noida.
Support from Bollywood
Indian actress Rakhi Sawant also voiced support for Seema Haider, urging authorities not to deport her.
In an Instagram video, Rakhi argued that Seema had now become a “daughter-in-law of India” after marrying an Indian citizen and giving birth to an Indian child.
Rakhi stressed that deporting Seema would be an injustice, saying that while Seema was once a Pakistani citizen, she had now embraced Hinduism and should be treated with compassion.
Background of visa crackdown
The Indian government’s order came after an attack in Pahalgam, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Following the incident, New Delhi decided to cancel all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, a move confirmed after a high-level security meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indian Ministry of External Affairs later announced that all Pakistani citizens in India were directed to leave before their visas expired, with the cancellation taking effect from April 27. Visas issued on medical grounds would remain valid until April 29.