LETTER (MS) NO.  148   DATED 18.2.2003

FROM
Thiru S.Munir Hoda, I.A.S.,
Secretary to Government

To
All Collectors/Superintendents of Police/Commissioners of Police (w.e)
The Director General of Police, Chennai 4 (w.e)
The Additional Director  General of Police (Intelligence),Chennai 4(w.e)
The Superintendent of Police Security Branch, C. I.D., Chennai 2 (w.e)

Sir,

         Sub: Limiting   Extensions of Long Term  Visa to Pakistan Nationals beyond Sixth  year and Granting Citizenship - Instructions of Government of India – Communicated.

Ref:  From the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi letter No.12011/8/2001 F.III, dated  29.1.2003.

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I am directed to enclose a copy of the Government of India’s letter cited for information and necessary action.

 Yours faithfully,

 for Secretary to Government

Copy to:

The Public (Foreigners) Department, Secretariat, Chennai 9 (w.e)
The Home (Citz.I) Department, Chennai 9 (w.e)
The Deputy Secy. to Govt. of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi
vvd

 Copy of letter No.12011/8/2001-F.III, dated 29.1.2003 received from the Deputy Secretary to Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi addressed to the Home Secretaries of all State Governments/UT Administrations.

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 SUBJECT: LIMITING EXTENSIONS OF LONG TERM VISA TO PAKISTAN                   NATIONALS  BEYOND  SIXTH YEAR AND  GRANTING CITIZENSHIP.

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Sir,

 I am directed to invite your attention to this Ministry’s letter No.12011/26/96- F.III dated 16^th July 1997 wherein powers have been delegated to the State Governments/UT Administrations to grant extension of long term visa to stay in India on a two year basis after first year of extension has been granted by this Ministry to the following categories of Pak nationals:

(1) Members of minority communities in Pakistan (Hindus and Sikhs);

(2) Pak women married to Indian Nationals and staying in India;

(3) Indian women married to Pak nationals and returning due to widowhood / divorce and having no male members to supportthem in Pakistan;

2. The question of limiting the Long Term Visa and granting citizenship to above  categories of Pak nationals  Pak nationals has been under the consideration of the Government of India for some time, and it has now been decided to follow the following procedure to limit the extension of Long term Visas and granting citizenship to them:

(a )  Pak nationals staying  in India on LTV after completion of five years of stay should be asked to either apply for Indian Citizenship or opt for returning to Pakistan;

(b)  A grace period not exceeding one year may be allowed for preparation and submission of  documents for Indian Citizenship;

(c)   After one year’s grace period, only those Pak nationals  staying beyond six years, may be considered for grant of extension of LTV who have applied for Indian Citizenship and their request is under consideration.

(d)  Consideration for grant  of Indian Citizenship shall be as per extent rules  and procedure on the subject viz., applications will be made to the prescribed authority and after the required enquiries, verification etc., State Govts./UT Administrations would send the cases to the Central Government with their recommendations in each case.

3. All State Governments/UT Administrations are accordingly requested to direct the Pak nationals who have completed 5 years of continuous stay in India to apply for Indian Citizenship immediately.  Those Pak nationals who are reluctant to apply for Indian Citizenship may be directed to leave the country.

 Yours faithfully,

Sd/-                    

Deputy Secretary to Government of India.