In a heartwarming turn of events, Meenal Ahmed Khan, a Pakistani national, was reunited with her husband, CRPF trooper Munir Khan, in Jammu after a decisive intervention by the Jammu & Kashmir High Court. The reunion came just in time, moments before Meenal was to be deported via the Attari border in Punjab.
💍 Cross-Border Marriage, Legal Hurdles
Meenal and Munir married in January 2025. She entered India on a tourist visa valid until March 22, 2025, and soon after applied for a long-term visa as the spouse of an Indian citizen. However, her visa status became uncertain after her tourist visa expired, especially amid recent geopolitical tensions.
Following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, India suspended visa facilities for Pakistani nationals, sparing only a few categories like diplomats and long-term visa holders. Meenal, caught in the middle of this diplomatic strain, was initially asked to leave the country despite her pending visa application.
⚖️ HC to the Rescue
The Jammu & Kashmir High Court intervened after a petition was filed by Meenal’s lawyer, advocate Ankur Sharma. The plea argued that Meenal was entitled to a visa extension under the “deemed granted” category for foreign spouses. The court stayed her deportation and allowed her return to Jammu, highlighting that the Union Government must take a final call on her long-term visa.
The High Court also acknowledged that CRPF trooper Munir Khan had informed his department about the marriage, and no procedural lapse had occurred from his end.
Next Steps
The next hearing is scheduled for May 14, 2025. Until then, Meenal has been allowed to stay with her husband.
