Type: Parliament Questions and Answers

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to satate :-

(a) whether it is a fact that a large number of Pakistani Hindus have migrated to India recently;

(b) whether it is also a fact that hundreds of Pakistani Hindus have been sitting on the borders to come to India;

(c) if so, the details of the Hindus coming from Pakistan till 10 August, 2012;

(d) whether Government has raised this issue with Pakistan; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and Pakistan’s reaction thereto?

ANSWER: THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S. M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF THE RAJYA SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 263 REGERADING “MIGRATION OF HINDUS FROM PAKISTAN” FOR ANSWER ON 30.08.2012

Government has seen reports that some Pakistani nationals belonging to minority communities including Hindus, who came to India on valid visas have not gone back to Pakistan on the grounds of religious persecution in Pakistan. Representations have been received requesting for allowing extension of visas of such Pakistani nationals and also for permitting them to apply for Long Term Visa (LTV).

Government has seen media reports that on August 10, 2012, over 200 Hindus who had valid travel documents & visas were stopped at Wagah border point in Pakistan and were allowed to cross into India after the Pakistani authorities were able to ascertain that these Pakistanis were travelling to India for meeting relatives or for pilgrimage and would return to Pakistan. It was also reported that these Pakistani nationals themselves stated that they would return to Pakistan.

Government has from time to time come across reports on the problems faced by members of the minority communities in Pakistan. Incidents of persecution and intimidation of the minority communities have also been reported. It is the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to discharge its constitutional obligations towards its citizens, including those from the minority community. While, the Simla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan specifically provides for non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, nevertheless, based on reports of persecution of minority groups in Pakistan, Government had taken up the matter with the Government of Pakistan. The Government of Pakistan stated that it was fully cognizant of the situation and looked after the welfare of all its citizens, particularly the minority community.
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Pakistan
South Asia