"I have taken note of the plea for the facilitation of visits to India by Pakistani nationals of Malyali origin made to the President jointly by some MPs. These persons have been residing in Pakistan for many years. Many of them are advanced in age and they would like to return to their native land for good.

This is a common problem faced by many Pakistanis of Indian origin from other parts of the country whose immediate families continue to be divided. Some had left India at the time of Partition not knowing what the future had in store for them and without understanding the full implications of their migration for their family. Some had opted for service in Pakistan and had hoped that on retirement they would come back home.

When I was in the Ministry, in some cases the MHA/MEA had agreed to the grant of long-term visas, or annual extension of visas, to such aged persons who had returned to India for good and had even applied for Indian citizenship.

From the humanitarian point of view, the Government may consider the possibility of granting long-term visas to such old persons, say above 65, who no longer lead an active life, who have not come to any adverse notice, and who have immediate blood relations living in India who would look after them. This would mean a more peaceful death for them in their original habitat, with their surviving relations around them.

I request you to consider this proposal sympathetically.