THE PAKISTANI nationals, who are now settled in Pune and have applied for Long-Term Visa (LTV) and citizenship, say that a tainted image of Pakistan is affecting their life and livelihoods. The Pakistani youths say that despite being well qualified, the private firms in city do not want to hire them, believing there is a big risk in employing a Pakistani. Besides the youths, about a hundred refugees from Pakistan raised grievances and concerns before Pravin Horo Singh, director (citizenship), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA); Ipsita Paul, Under Secretary, MHA and Pankaj Mishra, Section Officer, MHA and official of the foreigner registration office (FRO) of Pune city police during a “special camp” conducted at the Shivajinagar police headquarters today. The Centre is holding these special camps across the country as a move to speed up the process of granting long-term visa (LTV) and citizenship to the refugees, mainly belonging to the minorities from Pakistan. Akash Ramnani, a native of Ghotki in Sindh province of Pakistan, said he migrated to India with his family in 2009. “I had completed my education till Standard XII in Pakistan. After coming to Pune, I continued my studies and became a chartered accountant (CA). But it was very difficult because after knowing my nationality, no private firms allowed me to do the three-year articleship. After struggling a lot, I completed articleship at a small firm and that too I got after using local references. I had applied at various multi-national companies (MNC) for work. I also got selected on merit. However, the HR of a particular firm rejected me after knowing I am a Pakistani. I was told that the firm cannot take the risk of employing a Pakistani. I submitted copies of government notifications, saying minorities from Pakistan can get jobs in private sectors without submission of any additional documents. Still, a company asked me to submit a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Foreigner Registration Office (FRO). I could not get such a NOC from FRO,” he said. Another girl from Pakistan, Ekta Rohera, told the MHA officials that she is jobless for the last two years just because she is unable to get the NOC from FRO. “Companies ask us to submit NOCs from FRO. But when we approach the FRO, the officials say they cannot issue such NOCs. The FROs only guide us with government notifications that allow us to work in private companies. However, despite submitting the copy of these notifications, the companies did not employ me. The main reason is their perception that all Pakistanis are terrorists. It is bad. We are not terrorists or criminals,” she said. The MHA officials asked Akash and Ekta to apply for NOC assuring them that they would direct the FRO to issue it. They said the NOC will not address any particular company. It will be issued as to 'whomsoever it may concern'. Those Pakistani refugees seeking jobs in private firms can procure these NOCs from FRO on submission of essential documents. Watch Video: What's making news Meanwhile, Sham Talreja, also from Sindh Province, said he was upset because his daughter is sitting home without education for the last four years as colleges in the city are not giving her admission. “Colleges ask us to submit documents like the NOC and eligibility certificates. I am unable to get them,” he said. Another Pakistani refugee said that his daughter did get the NOC from FRO and submitted it at Symbiosis College, but she got admission under foreigner quota, due to which they had to pay huge fees. He requested the government to make provisions in law by which the minorities from Pakistan can take admission under the regular quota. Today, the MHA officials replied to the queries related to documents and other issues related to issuing of LTV. On Friday, the special camp will look into the applications of Pakistani nationals seeking Indian citizenship. Horo Singh gave information about the government notification that would be issued soon, which will enable the Pakistani refugees to buy dwelling land in India, travel within the state without permissions, open bank accounts without RBI permission, self employment opportunities and other facilities. Mishra talked about the procedure and list of documents required to apply for LTV and citizenship online on the website “indiafrro.gov.in”.
