A Pakistani woman, who is married to an Indian man in Jammu and Kashmir's border district Poonch, was granted Indian citizenship on Monday, officials said.
The certificate of registration granting Indian citizenship to Khatija Praveen, wife of Mohammad Taj, was handed over to her by District Development Commissioner, Poonch, Rahul Yadav at his office, they said.
The officials said Khatija Praveen, who was born in Pakistan, was granted Indian citizenship on the basis of marriage to an Indian under section 5(1)(c) of the Citizenship Act, 1955.
Khatija Praveen, along with her husband, expressed great happiness and gratitude upon receiving the certificate from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, they added.
In the meantime, Pakistan's Foriegn Office (FO) has said that there is no change in the country's visa policy for residents of Jammu and Kashmir.
The FO made the remarks after reports emerged about changes in the Pakistani visa for residents of Jammu and Kashmir. The reports are "completely baseless and incorrect, it said.
Pakistan High Commission continues to issue visas to residents of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the visa policy of the government and related bilateral agreements between Pakistan and India. There has been no change in the visa policy for residents of Jammu and Kashmir, it said. It further stated that Pakistan's High Commission in New Delhi, while deciding on visa applications for the residents of the region, was also taking into cognizance the situation in the region after India abrogated Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5 to revoke the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir.
Tensions between India and Pakistan spiked following New Delhi's decision. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic relations with India and also expelled the Indian high commissioner.
The FO said those who fulfil the visa requirements continue to be issued visas as quickly as possible.
