Dehradun: The aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, has resulted in strict actions by the central government, directing the deportation of Pakistani citizens from India. However, amidst this widespread scrutiny, a unique case involving two Pakistani children has surfaced in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
The children, born in Pakistan but now residing with their Indian mother, have been permitted to stay in India following their mother’s request and administrative consideration.
An Unusual Case Amid Mass Deportations
The central government has issued orders for Pakistanis currently in India to return to their home country. In Dehradun, where searches uncovered 217 Pakistani nationals, most were Hindu refugees, while five were identified as Pakistani Muslims. Among them was a Pakistani couple, Asif Mahmood and his wife Dua Bin Tariq, who were staying in Vikasnagar on a short-term visa. They were escorted under police protection to Saharanpur and subsequently scheduled to travel to Pakistan via train from Delhi.
During the investigations, authorities discovered a unique situation involving an Indian mother residing in Sahaspur, Dehradun, with her two children who hold Pakistani citizenship by birth. This exception came to light when officials clarified that the mother had been married to a Pakistani national. Following her divorce, she returned to India with her children to resume her life in her native country.
Citizenship Details and Compassionate Decision
The two children were born in Pakistan during their mother’s marriage to a Pakistani national, automatically granting them Pakistani citizenship. Upon her return to India after the divorce, the mother brought her children back to Dehradun, settling in Sahaspur. Although the government is enforcing mass deportations for Pakistanis, the administration has made a compassionate decision to allow the children to stay in India with their mother, recognizing the family’s unique circumstances.
Authorities Respond with Vigilance
The SSP of Dehradun, Ajay Singh, confirmed the deportation of Asif Mahmood and Dua Bin Tariq but noted the special case of the children. The Uttarakhand administration, while ensuring compliance with central government directives, has acknowledged the sensitive nature of the children’s situation. This decision aligns with efforts to balance national security concerns with humane considerations.
A Mother’s Relief
For the mother in Sahaspur, this decision brings immense relief as she can continue raising her children in the safety and familiarity of her homeland. Their stay reflects the administration’s ability to address individual cases with fairness and empathy, even amidst heightened tensions and strict government directives.
