Seema Haider’s love story with an Indian man brought her into the news after she came to India from Pakistan without a visa, just months before the government tightened rules for Pakistani nationals following the Pahalgam terror attack.
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NEW DELHI: Seema Haider, a woman originally from Pakistan, captured media attention when she illegally entered India in 2023 via Nepal to be with her Indian partner, Sachin Meena, whom she reportedly met through the mobile game PUBG. Her journey stirred both sympathy and controversy, especially amid strained India-Pakistan relations.
She was later arrested for illegal entry but granted bail, after which she settled with Sachin Meena in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The couple claimed to be married and started a family, further intensifying the spotlight on her case.
Recent Developments
As per her lawyer AP Singh, Seema is now being considered no longer a Pakistani citizen, and he has asserted that she should be treated as an Indian national because:
- She married an Indian citizen.
- She has given birth to their daughter in India.
- She has integrated herself into Indian society and has shown intent to remain permanently.
Singh argues that the Centre’s directive regarding Pakistani nationals and visa restrictions should not apply to Seema due to her changed circumstances and her establishment of familial ties in India.
Indian Government’s Recent Actions: Visa Policy Tightening Post-Pahalgam Attack
In April 2025, following a terrorist attack in Pahalgam (Jammu & Kashmir), in which Pakistani links were suspected, the Indian government initiated sweeping visa restrictions against Pakistani nationals. This included:
- Visa Cancellations
- The government revoked valid visas of many Pakistani nationals.
- Applications from Pakistan were halted or delayed, citing national security concerns.
- Heightened Scrutiny of Cross-Border Marriages
- Marriages between Indian nationals and Pakistani citizens are being more strictly scrutinized.
- Applicants must provide evidence of legitimate relationships, and even then, long delays or outright rejections of visa applications are becoming more common.
- Nationality Reforms under Review
- The case has brought renewed attention to citizenship laws under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
- Currently, Pakistani nationals cannot automatically gain Indian citizenship through marriage. They must apply for long-term visas (LTVs) and go through a naturalization process, often taking 7+ years.
- Tighter Border Security and Surveillance
- India is tightening cross-border monitoring, especially in porous areas like Nepal, which Seema used as a transit route.
- Surveillance of illegal immigration has been intensified with advanced technology and inter-agency coordination.
What Laws are Involved?
1. Citizenship Act, 1955
- Section 5 and Section 6 deal with acquisition of citizenship by registration or naturalization.
- Pakistani nationals face stricter restrictions under these provisions due to India’s hostile relations with Pakistan.
2. Foreigners Act, 1946
- This Act allows the government to regulate, restrict, or deport foreign nationals.
- Seema’s illegal entry made her liable for prosecution under this Act.
3. Passport (Entry into India) Rules, 1950
- Requires valid documentation and prior visa for foreign nationals. Seema’s entry via Nepal was in violation of these rules.
Implications of This Case
- Legal Precedent?
Seema’s case may not set a formal legal precedent but will likely influence how similar cases are handled, especially where interpersonal human rights clash with national security interests. - Humanitarian vs. Security Debate
The government must balance national security concerns with humanitarian considerations, especially in cases involving women, children, or families created across borders. - Citizenship Policy Reform Needed?
This case exposes gaps in India’s citizenship and visa framework and may accelerate calls for more transparent and consistent rules for cross-border marriages and asylum-like situations.
Seema Haider’s case highlights a deeply complex intersection of love, law, and geopolitics. While her lawyer insists on her right to remain as an Indian based on marital and familial ties, the Indian government remains cautious in the wake of fresh security threats. This incident, coupled with the recent Pahalgam attack, has prompted the Indian state to revisit and tigh
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