'Kids insisted on seeing their father, but I had to return': Meerut woman married in Pakistan sent back from Wagah border for carrying Indian passport

NEW DELHI: A woman from Meerut, married to a Pakistani national, was denied entry at the Wagah border with her two children on April 24 due to carrying an Indian passport, despite visiting India on a 45-day visa that had expired.
Sana, a resident of Sardhana area in Meerut, was told she could not return to Pakistan while holding an Indian passport. Her children, who are Pakistani citizens, were permitted to cross the border, but she chose not to send them alone.
The woman had to leave India as her visa had expired, with her husband and in-laws waiting on the Pakistani side of the border. She was unable to meet them during this attempt to cross.
"My children insisted on seeing their father, but I had to return. I could not allow them to be separated from me," Sana told reporters on Saturday.
She has reached out to the local police station regarding the matter, according to Meerut Superintendent of Police (Rural) Rakesh Kumar Mishra.
"If any new information comes to light, it's cognizance will be taken," stated Mishra.
The family members explained that her Indian passport was the reason for Pakistani authorities denying her entry into the country.
Following the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, the Centre has directed Pakistani nationals to leave India.
In response to the April 22 terror strike, the Indian government announced a series of measures against Pakistan, which in turn retaliated with similar actions against India.
Sunday marked the deadline for Pakistanis holding short-term visas in 12 categories to exit the country, leading to long queues of vehicles at the Attari-Wagah border crossing.
Since April 24, a day after the visa revocation was announced, 537 Pakistani nationals — including nine diplomats and officials — have departed India through the border point. In the same period, 850 Indians, including 14 diplomats and officials, have returned from Pakistan.