New Delhi, Sept 1(ANI): Indian-origin Christians and Buddhists from Pakistan are now eligible for long-term Indian visas, which could also later render them a permanent resident status.
An order for including Christians and Buddhists in the list of Pakistan's minority communities eligible for long-term Indian visas was issued earlier this month, Christian Today reports.
The Union Home Ministry announced the decision following a request from the Office of the Commissioner for NRI affairs in Goa, the report said.
Goa's Commissioner for NRI affairs Eduardo Faleiro's had requested to include Christians in the list following requests from a number of Pakistani nationals of Goan origin who wished to return to Goa and acquire Indian citizenship, it added.
In a letter to the Home Ministry, Faleiro informed the Centre that many Goans, especially Christians had migrated to Pakistan in search of jobs before India's Independence in 1947.
"Christians constitute a significant minority community in Pakistan. The minister for minority communities who was recently assassinated in Islamabad was himself a Christian," Falerio was quoted as saying in his letter.
"May I request you to kindly include Christians in addition to Hindus and Sikhs as members of the minority communities in Pakistan for the purpose of long-term visa," he added. (ANI)
|
|
Read More: Delhi
Comments:
