After curtailing basic freedoms, neighboring India’s appetite for violating Kashmiri rights has not been satisfied yet as it is now actively depriving the youth of occupied Jammu and Kashmir from seeking higher education opportunities in Pakistan. However, the roadblocks came when the Indian Home Ministry refused to issue a no objection certificate (NOC) to apply for a Pakistani visa. “People from various agencies started badgering me with questions like why do you want to go to Pakistan for an education?” Mir said. Abdullah, a student from Srinagar currently in the country, while talking to the Express Tribune about the pull of Kashmiri students seeking an education in Pakistan, said that being Muslim played a huge role in the decision. Nitish further opined that if there is an agreement between the two countries to issue visas for trade, religious tourism, and medical treatment, then instead of stopping Kashmiri students, Pakistan and India should also issue visas to each other for educational purposes.

Source: The Express Tribune January 31, 2022 23:17 UTC