Lahore:
Despite the current tensions between Pakistan and India, the Wagah-Attari border was temporarily reopened for two days to facilitate citizens with long-term visas (LTV) and no objection returns to India (NORI).
Sources of security have confirmed that this decision aims to help people residing in the two countries facing return difficulties due to the recent border closure.
On Monday, 129 Pakistani passport holders with Nori visas crossed India via the Wagah border.
However, no Indian citizen with long -term Pakistani visas has arrived in Pakistan, according to sources.
The arrival of Indian nationals with long -term Pakistani visas is expected Tuesday and Wednesday.
Diplomatic officials explained that Pakistan grants long -term visas to Indian citizens, especially women, who have married Pakistani nationals and have been constantly settled in Pakistan but have not yet acquired Pakistani citizenship.
These people, when they go to India to meet a family or attend events, do not need a new visa to return to Pakistan.
Conversely, India issues long-term visas alongside a Nori certificate with Pakistani nationals residing in India or married there.
The arrangement allows them to visit Pakistan and return to India without the need for a new visa.
After recent climbing in tensions, the two countries had closed the Wagah-Attari border, creating challenges for long-term visa holders and Nori who were blocked during visits to their country of origin.
Although the two governments have canceled the visas issued for business, tourism and medical ends, allowing people affected a brief window to go home, authorizations do not initially extend to long -term visa holders.
Consequently, many Pakistani and Indian nationals have remained blocked on each side of the border in the last four days, awaiting authorization to cross.
