ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Friday categorically rejected Indian media reports alleging that Pakistan had closed the Wagah border crossing for its citizens returning from India, amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours.
In a strongly worded statement, the FO said the Wagah-Attari border had remained open until April 30 and that Pakistan continues to facilitate the return of its nationals, provided Indian authorities allow them to cross.
“The Wagah border will remain open for Pakistani citizens in the future as well,” the ministry asserted, dismissing what it called “baseless and misleading” claims circulating in Indian media.
The response came after reports suggested that several Pakistanis, including patients and families, were stranded between the Attari and Wagah checkpoints. Indian media alleged that Pakistan had refused entry to its citizens, which the FO termed a “deliberate misrepresentation of facts.”
“Many patients with fragile health had to return to Pakistan without completing their treatment. Furthermore, there are reports of families being split and children being separated from one of their parents,” the FO said.
Tensions have escalated between Pakistan and India following a deadly attack on April 22 in the Pahalgam area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which left 26 people dead, most of them tourists. India has implied cross-border links to the incident but has provided no evidence. Pakistan has firmly denied any involvement and has called for an independent investigation.
Following the attack, India revoked the visas of Pakistani nationals and instructed them to leave by April 29, forcing several to abandon medical treatments mid-way.
In response to the plight of two young heart patients who had to return without receiving care, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal announced that the government would bear the cost of their treatment in Pakistan. He directed the Director General of Health to immediately contact the family and begin treatment arrangements.
The girls are likely to be referred to the Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC), Kamal confirmed, adding that coordination with various hospitals had already begun.
The FO reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to facilitating its citizens’ safe return and urged India to refrain from politicizing humanitarian issues.
