Pakistan has announced the reopening of the Attari-Wagah border to allow its citizens, stranded in India, to return home. This decision comes in the wake of India's revocation of various visas following the Pahalgam terror incident, which resulted in 26 deaths. The Indian government had set deadlines for different visa categories, including SAARC, medical, and 12 other types, ranging from April 26 to April 29.

Pakistan's Foreign Office criticised India's action, citing humanitarian concerns like disrupted medical treatments and family separations, and affirmed its readiness to receive its citizens. Approximately 70 Pakistani nationals were reported stranded at the border as the deadline expired.

The Pahalgam attack has also profoundly impacted the daily retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border. India has since decided to keep its side of the gate closed during the ceremony, eliminating the direct eye contact, synchronized steps, and handshakes between the Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers. Previously, the ceremony was a competitive parade with audiences waving and exchanging smiles across the zero line.

Now, spectators on the Indian side can only observe the BSF performance, diminishing the overall spectacle and preventing glimpses of the Pakistani side. This alteration has led to a sharp decline in attendance, with numbers dropping from a typical 10,000 to just over 2,000, raising concerns among tour operators about the ceremony's long-term appeal and its impact on Amritsar's tourism.