Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday, April 27, said that all Pakistani nationals would be sent back to Pakistan.
Interestingly, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde claimed that 107 Pakistanis were either missing or had fled.
However, Fadnavis stated that all 107 Pakistani nationals in the state have been identified and will be deported. Police across the state worked overtime to make sure that Pakistani nationals on temporary visas left by the deadline.
According to the home department, 5,023 Pakistani nationals live across Maharashtra, excluding Mumbai. Out of these, 2,740 have long-term visas, and 2,088 are awaiting visa renewals. Three are in jail, and 34 have overstayed their visas and are living illegally. There are also 55 Pakistani nationals currently staying with valid short-term visas.
Nagpur has the highest number of Pakistani nationals at 2,458. Thane city follows with 1,106; Jalgaon has 393; Pimpri Chinchwad has 290; and Navi Mumbai has 239.
260 Pakistani nationals who got long-term visas by marrying Indian citizens, or women who returned after divorce or widowhood, would stay in Mumbai.
Most Pakistanis with long-term visas are Sindhi migrants who came from Pakistan. Sindhi migrants with long-term visas were not required to leave.
After the terror attack in Pahalgam, Mumbai Police deported 17 Pakistani nationals who were on temporary visas. They were deported on April 26 and 27 after completing all formalities. Those under medical treatment were given an extension until Tuesday, April 29 to complete their exit.
The Thane police commissionerate ordered all zonal officers to keep a strict watch on Pakistani nationals with temporary visas. Each zone was given detailed data. Officers were told to stay alert and make sure of full compliance with visa rules.
The exact number of Pakistani nationals in Thane is not clear. In Ulhasnagar, Zone 4 officials found 17 Pakistani nationals living on temporary visas.
Navi Mumbai police reviewed the documents of 200 Pakistani nationals. Three individuals with visitor visas were deported on April 25. Officials said that 229 Pakistani nationals are living in Navi Mumbai either on long-term visas or awaiting permission.
Shinde took a stricter stand after Fadnavis's statement. He said that Pakistani nationals must leave immediately, as warned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He warned that strict action would be taken if the 107 missing individuals were not found.
Home department officials said that most of the 5,023 Pakistani nationals in the state are Sindhis and are not covered under the central government's directives. Those on official and diplomatic visas are also excluded from the orders.