The Pakistan Foreign Ministry rejected on Friday the statements made by the Indian media that the country had closed the Wagah’s border to the Pakistani citizens returning from India, amid increasing tensions between the two nations.
The statement came in response to the reports of the Indian media that claim that Pakistan had “denied” to open the Wagah border, leaving several Pakistani nationals stranded in the area between the control points of Attari and Wagah.
“Many patients with fragile health had to return to Pakistan without completing their treatment. In addition, there are reports that families are divided and children separate from one of their parents,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in their statement.
The Ministry clarified that the crossing of the border with Wagah-Attari remained operational until April 30, and Pakistan remains willing to receive their citizens while the Indian authorities allow them to cross.
“The border with Wagah will remain open for Pakistani citizens in the future,” he added.
Tensions have increased between two countries after a deadly attack on April 22 in the Pahalgam area of illegally occupied India Jammu and Kashmir (Iiojk), which killed 26 people, most of them tourists.
India has hinted at cross -border links to the attack, but has not provided evidence. Pakistan has strongly denied participation and requested independent investigation.
After the incident, India revoked the visas of the Pakistani citizens and ordered them to leave the country before April 29.
Previously, Pakistan’s Minister of Health promised a government -funded treatment for two young cardiac patients who were forced to return from India without medical care due to growing tensions between the two countries.
The Federal Minister of Health, Mustafa Kamal, ordered the Director General of Health to immediately contact the two girls family. He said arrangements were being made to begin their treatment in Pakistan at the expense of the government.
Kamal also confirmed that he had communicated with the prime minister’s office and that the Ministry of Health had begun to coordinate with several hospitals. Girls can be referred to the Institute of Cardiology of the Armed Forces (fans), he added.
