Families torn apart as India bars Pakistani spouses with Indian passports from returning home

On May 2, 2025, at the Attari-Wagah border checkpoint in Punjab, India permitted 21 Pakistani nationals to return to their country. However, Indian passport holders married to Pakistanis were not allowed to cross, even as their children holding Pakistani passports were cleared. This restriction, confirmed by Punjab border officials, came amid heightened border security measures following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 civilian lives. The Indian government attributed the attack to Pakistan-based terrorist networks, leading to an aggressive policy clampdown on cross-border movement.

What Led to India’s Hardline Travel Restrictions?

The trigger for India’s travel restrictions was its April 24 decision to revoke all valid Pakistani visas and issue an expulsion order requiring Pakistani nationals to leave by April 30. The Ministry of External Affairs cited what it described as “conclusive intelligence” linking the Pahalgam attack to groups based in Pakistan. As part of the crackdown, the Attari border was initially shut to civilian crossings and later reopened selectively.

Officials stated that Indian citizens married to Pakistanis, despite humanitarian appeals, could not be granted exit permission due to their Indian citizenship status. Sources from the Ministry of Home Affairs said that such individuals fall under national travel restrictions that apply during high-security periods, regardless of familial ties.

Why Are Families Being Separated?

Families with members holding dual or mixed nationalities have faced sudden separations. Multiple cases involved Indian mothers with children holding Pakistani passports who were unable to accompany their children. In one case reported by local media, a Delhi-based woman refused to let her minor children travel alone to Pakistan after she was denied clearance. She cited safety concerns and lack of alternative arrangements.

Officials at the Attari checkpoint confirmed that more than 50 individuals, mostly members of cross-border families, were stuck in administrative limbo due to documentation verification or unresolved clearances. Some returned to their cities pending legal recourse, while others remained at the border awaiting instructions from Delhi.

Has the Supreme Court Intervened in Similar Cases?

The Supreme Court of India intervened on May 2 in a deportation case involving a family from Bengaluru. The family, all Indian passport holders, was facing removal on suspicion of illegal Pakistani origin. The apex court directed authorities not to take coercive steps until the family’s documents were verified. Justices cited the need for due process and constitutional safeguards in nationality determination.

This case reflects a growing legal complexity as Indian courts are now being petitioned by multiple families facing deportation or denied exit permissions. Human rights advocates argue that the sweeping enforcement measures overlook humanitarian considerations, especially in cases involving women and minor children.

How Has Pakistan Responded Diplomatically?

In retaliation to India’s visa revocation and expulsion orders, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian commercial flights, expelled Indian diplomats, and halted bilateral trade arrangements. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad called the measures “politically motivated” and accused India of escalating tensions.

The suspension of dialogue and breakdown of diplomatic protocols has further strained an already fragile relationship. Experts note that people-to-people ties—once a softening layer in the India-Pakistan relationship—are now being eroded by security-first policies.

The Sikh community in Amritsar, which frequently travels to Lahore for religious pilgrimages, has also expressed concern over the extended closure of the corridor, viewing it as a disruption to longstanding cultural exchanges.

What Is the Situation Now at the Border?

As of May 3, more than a dozen families remain stranded at the Attari checkpoint. Border officials under the Border Security Force confirmed that further crossings are subject to case-by-case approval based on directives from the Ministry of External Affairs and Home Ministry. Clearance is being issued only to individuals with Pakistani nationality whose documentation has cleared the enhanced vetting system.

Immigration teams at the site are operating under heightened alert, and any cross-border case involving Indian citizens is being referred to Delhi for final clearance. Some affected individuals have taken shelter in makeshift facilities or returned to their hometowns temporarily.

Officials have not offered a specific timeline for the resumption of normal civilian crossings.

Could Humanitarian Corridors Be Established?

International rights bodies and South Asian diaspora organisations have issued joint statements calling for urgent humanitarian exemptions. These groups have appealed to the Indian and Pakistani governments to create a cross-border corridor or waiver mechanism for verified family units, especially those involving minors and dependents.

There has been no official response from either government to these appeals. However, analysts suggest that without third-party diplomatic pressure or legal intervention, such exemptions are unlikely to be implemented in the current environment. National security concerns remain the guiding principle in India’s immediate policy framework, officials reaffirmed.

What Are the Broader Implications for Cross-Border Families?

The Attari checkpoint has now become a focal point for the unintended consequences of geopolitical friction. Families caught in legal and emotional limbo represent a growing humanitarian crisis. Legal experts say the Citizenship Act and Passport Act do not provide sufficient mechanisms for cross-border families, and the current situation highlights the need for policy reform.

Unless political dialogue resumes or institutional frameworks are introduced to handle mixed-nationality family disputes, more families will likely find themselves divided by bureaucracy. For now, family reunification remains subject to evolving border protocols and ministerial discretion.