India grants 431 Pakistani Hindus long-term visas, eligible for Aadhar, PAN

The Narendra Modi led BJP-government has granted long-term visas to as many as 431 Pakistani nationals, mostly Hindus. The grant allows them eligible for PAN and Aadhaar cards and permission to purchase property in the country.

A home ministry official told the PTI, that the Modi government’s policy is to help minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who come to India after facing alleged persecution in their home country.

The official further told the agency that that the ministry of home affairs granted long-term visas to 431 Pakistani nationals last month.

According to the latest policy of the BJP-led central government, people belonging to minority communities including Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan staying in India on long-term visas are allowed to purchase a small residential unit sufficient to serve the needs of a family and suitable accommodation for carrying out a business.

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However, the policy bars them from buying immovable property in and around restricted or protected areas including cantonment regions.

The policy allows the minorities coming from neighbouring countries to obtain a PAN card, Aadhar Number and a driving license.  They are allowed free movement in the within the state they are staying and transfer of long0term visa papers from one state to another.

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The Pakistani nationals who have been provided with long-term visas will now be also to bank accounts with prior approval of Reserve Bank of India.

(With PTI inputs)