Seema Haider appeals to PM Modi for Permanent Stay in India After Pahalgam Attack Fallout

Greater Noida: In an emotional appeal that has stirred public sentiment, Seema Haider — a Pakistani national who crossed into India illegally last year — has pleaded with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to allow her to stay in India permanently. Following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, India suspended visa services for Pakistani citizens, leaving Seema fearful of deportation.

Seema, who gained nationwide attention in 2023, entered India through Nepal with her four children to be with her Indian partner, Sachin Meena. Since her arrival, she has embraced Hinduism and tied the knot with Sachin, seeking to start a new life in India. “I don’t want to go back to Pakistan,” Seema said in an emotional video now widely shared across social media platforms. “I was once the daughter of Pakistan, but now I am India’s daughter-in-law. I have come into the refuge of Modi ji and Yogi ji. Please let me stay here.”

Visa Crackdown After Pahalgam Attack

The Indian government’s strict stance came after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. In a high-level meeting chaired by PM Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Security decided to suspend all visa services for Pakistani nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs further announced that all valid visas for Pakistani citizens would be canceled starting April 27, 2025, with an exception for medical visas, which are valid until April 29.

Pakistani nationals currently living in India have been instructed to exit the country before their visas expire, adding more uncertainty to Seema Haider’s situation.

Seema’s Journey From Karachi to Greater Noida

Before her move, Seema was living in Sindh, Pakistan, and was already married. She connected with Sachin Meena in 2019 through an online gaming platform. Their bond grew over the years, prompting Seema to take the bold step of leaving her home in Karachi. By May 2023, she crossed into India and was discovered by authorities two months later in Rabupura, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Uttar Pradesh.

Despite facing intense scrutiny and criticism from various quarters, Seema remains resolute about her decision. Her lawyer maintains that she no longer identifies as a Pakistani citizen, emphasizing her conversion to Hinduism and her integration into Indian society as factors favoring her plea for asylum.

Emotional Appeal Amidst Legal Battles

Seema’s future in India hangs in the balance as authorities deliberate over cases involving immigration law violations. However, her heartfelt video message paints a clear picture of a woman who sees India not just as her home, but as her final refuge.

“I have given up everything in Pakistan. I have accepted India with full devotion. I only wish to live here peacefully with my family,” Seema said.

As the government continues to adopt a tough approach toward Pakistani nationals in the wake of security concerns, Seema Haider’s fate remains uncertain — but her plea has undeniably touched many hearts across the country.