315 stranded Kashmiri students to return today

Around 315 students hailing from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) will reach Pakistan through Wagah border today to resume their studies in various educational institutions across the country.

Meanwhile, 100 Pakistanis stranded in India for six months will also return to home country through Wagah border today.

During one month, this was the second group of Kashmiri students who would reach

Lahore from the Occupied Valley. Earlier, a batch of around 350 students had returned to the country on September 10.

According to diplomatic sources, around 1,000 Kashmiri students studying in various universities of the country had to return to their hometown due to coronavirus lockdown in Pakistan. The process of their return resumed after the country eased lockdown restrictions and opened academic institutions across the country.

Pakistan Customs and Immigration department and security agencies deployed at the Wagah border have been informed about arrival of the students.

Kashmiri students expressed joy over resuming educational activities and completing academic session in the country and said tensions in Pakistan-India relations affect their travel.

The stranded nationals returning from India had gone to the neighbouring country to meet their relatives and visit religious sites but couldn’t return due to coronavirus lockdown restrictions on travelling.

Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi facilitated the return of the stranded citizens as 760 nationals had returned to the country from India since March 20.