Over 15,000 Pakistanis overstaying in India as on December 2013: Government

NEW DELHI: More than 15,000 Pakistani nationals were overstaying in India as on December 2013, Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said as per information available, between 2012 and 2013, there had been increase in the total numbers of overstaying Pakistani nationals in the country.

"As on December 31, 2012, a total of 12,137 Pakistani nationals were overstaying in the country. The number increased to 15,028 in December 2013 -- an increase of 2,891 which comes to 23.82 per cent," he said in a written reply.

Replying to another question, Rijiju said as per information available, the main reason for increasing number of certain category of Pakistan nationals coming to India on valid visa and not returning to Pakistan is reportedly the religious persecution in Pakistan.

He said 58 Pakistani nationals were deported in 2013 for overstaying in India, while in 2012 and 2011, 31 and 69 people respectively were deported for the same reason.