New Delhi, April 27, 2025 – The Delhi High Court on Saturday dismissed a plea by a Pakistani woman, Sheena Naz, seeking directions to the Central Government to reconsider the cancellation of her residential permit and grant her a long-term visa. The court held that the government’s decision to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals was driven by national security concerns and did not warrant judicial interference.
Justice Sachin Datta, presiding over a special hearing, emphasized that the Central Government’s order, effective from April 27, 2025, to halt visa services for Pakistani citizens was a policy decision rooted in “serious national security considerations.”
The court further noted that it lacked the authority to carve out exceptions to such executive orders, stating, “The decision of the Centre is beyond the scope of judicial review in this context.”
Sheena Naz, married to an Indian citizen, had approached the Delhi High Court challenging the revocation of her visa following the government’s blanket suspension of visa services. Her plea urged the court to direct the authorities to consider her application for a long-term visa, citing her marital ties and personal circumstances. However, the court declined to entertain the petition, reinforcing the precedence of national security over individual requests.
