New Delhi [India], October 6 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday issued a notice to the Central Government and other concerned authorities in a petition filed by a Pakistani woman, who married an Indian citizen in 2024. The woman, Ruqaiya Obaeed, and her husband, Ubada Abul Barakat Farooqi, challenged the central government's decision to cancel all visas following the Pahalgam attack, which has affected her ability to join her husband in India.

Justice Sachin Datta issued a notice to the Central Government, asking the counsel for the Central Government to take instructions on why the petitioner's application, which sought a long-term visa (LTV), was not considered, while the pleas of other applicants were considered.

The notice has been issued in response to the petition filed by Ruqaiya Obaeed and her husband, Ubada Abul Barakat Farooqi.

The bench, after hearing the submissions of counsel for the petitioner and the central government, listed the matter for hearing on November 12.

Senior advocate Sanjeev Sagar, alongwith advocates Rajeshwar Singh, Chaitanya Singh, and Nazia Parveen, appeared for the petitioner Ruqaiya Obaeed and her husband Ubada Abul Barakat Farooqi.

It was reported that a significant amount of water has flowed since the Pahalgam attack. Applications of others for LTV were considered, but the window for the petitioner was not opened.

It is stated that the Petitioners are a legally wedded husband and wife. Petitioner Ruqaiya is a Pakistani national, holding a valid passport issued by the Government of Pakistan, valid until June 20, 2027, and a Visitor Visa (Single Entry, applicable only to Pakistani nationals), valid until August 20, 2025.

The petition stated that she entered India on 05.04.2025 via the Attari-Wagah Border on foot, for the purpose of visiting friends and relatives in India, and to reside with her husband, who is a citizen of India. The marriage between the Petitioners was solemnised on November 14, 2024, in Pakistan, in accordance with Muslim Personal Law.

The Petitioners have prayed the court to quash the exit permit issued by Indian authorities on April 28, 2025.

It is also prayed for a direction to grant suitable entry permission to Ruqaiya Obaeed so that she can rejoin her spouse and maintain conjugal relations with him.

The petitioners have also directed the concerned officer, who advises the officers of the High Commission of India in Islamabad, to accept the petitioner's application for a visa in person, as the online window service has been closed, and to consider the pending application for a long-term visa dated April 18, 2025.

It is submitted that the families of the Petitioners have an age-long relationship, and both have traditionally visited each other's countries as desired. The petitioners grew up in their respective countries, but their families had an understanding to strengthen their social relations by arranging marriages between their children. Once the petitioners attained the age of majority, their families agreed to arrange their marriage (nikah) through a virtual mode on July 28, 2024, in the presence of witnesses, as pleaded.

It is stated that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners-I Division, issued an order on April 25, 2025, in response to the diabolical, horrendous, and inhuman terrorist attack that occurred in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025.

Following the aforementioned incident, the ministry has decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals, effective immediately. It was further declared that all existing valid visas issued by the Government of India to Pakistani nationals, except for Medical Visas, Long-Term Visas (LTVs), and Diplomatic and Official Visas, would stand revoked, effective from April 27 2025. Medical visas were declared valid only until April 29, 2025, and it was additionally decided that no new visas would be issued to Pakistani nationals. (ANI)