A comparatively peaceful state, Madhya Pradesh seems to be the hot destination for Pakistani Hindus to lead a respectable life.
Immigrating from the Islamic country, the Pakistani Hindus, mostly Sindhis, take advantage of red-tape and slack law enforcing agencies to extend their stay and earn a livelihood in Madhya Pradesh.
Over 3,200 requests from Pakistanis for Indian citizenship are pending in Indore, which is considered to be the business capital of the state, foreigner registration officer Arun Jain told PTI.
An equal number has applied for renewal of their long-term visas and have been staying here for decades with their relatives, official sources said.
Centrally-located Madhya Pradesh, where 195 Pakistanis have disappeared and which offers a safe haven for 4,188
Pakistani nationals, including 3,999 Hindus, provides a healthy platform for the majority of them to practice trade and even medicine without fulfilling requirements of concerned agencies, they said.
While the Pakistanis continue to increase their involvement in trade and healthcare sectors, police claim that none of the foreigners were overstaying and put the onus of preventing the trend on central ministries and agencies like the Medical Council of India.
"We are concerned only if Pakistanis are staying here illegally. Whether they practice medicine or trade without
their visas allowing it, other agencies are there to look into it," a senior police officer said, adding, "However, action can be taken under section 14 of the Foreigners Act."
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