Jaisalmer: A large number of Pakistani Hindu refugees are returning to Pakistan due to strict government policies on granting citizenship to refugees, said the Border People’s Association.
Between January and July 2022, 334 Pakistani Hindu refugees have returned to Pakistan. According to official sources, the said Hindus migrated from Pakistan to India due to persecution.
Hindu Singh Sodha, chairman of ‘Simantha Lok Sangthan’, said, from 2021 to this year, about 1500 Pakistani Hindus have returned to Pakistan. Due to the laxity of the state government and the central government, the Hindu refugees from Pakistan are frustrated. Most of these Hindus do not have the money or resources to complete the formalities required to obtain Indian citizenship. So, they are going back to Pakistan.
He further said, even after spending money, there is no guarantee that they will get citizenship. About 25,000 Pakistani Hindus have been waiting here for 10/15 years to get Indian citizenship.
In 2004 and 2005, camps were organized and 13,000 Pakistani Hindus were granted Indian citizenship. However, only 2,000 Pakistani Hindus have been granted citizenship in the last 5 years.
On the other hand, the Pakistani embassy has also increased the fees so that the refugees cannot afford it. Passport Renewal Fee while 8000/- now it is Rs. 10,000/- has been increased.