Pakistani Passenger’s Arrival on IndiGo Flight Stuns Mumbai Airport Officials
Pakistani Passenger's Arrival on IndiGo Flight Stuns Mumbai Airport Officials
Pakistani entrepreneur Waqas Hassan recently grabbed attention after revealing that he traveled to India on an IndiGo flight. His journey, which included a layover in Mumbai, surprised many, as travel between India and Pakistan is often complicated due to historical tensions and strict visa regulations.
While Pakistani citizens can obtain visas for India, the process is challenging, making leisure tourism between the two nations uncommon. However, Hassan’s journey was entirely legal. He did not require an Indian visa as he was only transiting through Mumbai while traveling from Singapore to Saudi Arabia. With a six-hour layover, he remained within the airport, adhering to all regulations.
Pakistani Travelers Can Transit Through India
In an Instagram post, Hassan explained that Pakistani passport holders can transit through India on connecting flights without needing a visa, provided they do not exit the airport. He also clarified that flights requiring self check-in are not an option, as passengers would need to leave the transit area.
Walking through Mumbai airport, Hassan shared in his video, “I’m on my way from Singapore to Saudi Arabia, and I’m currently in Mumbai.”
As the founder of AiForAll, Hassan seemed to enjoy his brief time at the airport. He relaxed in the lounge, bought souvenirs, and even sampled Mumbai’s famous vada pav. “It’s a pretty fun feeling,” he remarked.
A Slight Risk Involved
Hassan chose an Indian airline for his journey because of the competitive fares offered on routes from East Asia to the Middle East. He noted that many travelers are unaware of this transit option, and he himself had some doubts when booking the ticket.
“I’ve been traveling for 15 years, and nobody told me that we [Pakistanis] can transit through India. So, when I booked this ticket, I knew there was a bit of risk involved,” he shared.
He also mentioned that Mumbai airport officials were surprised to see his Pakistani passport. “When I handed them my passport, they were shocked. They told me not many Pakistanis do this, so it was a new experience for them too,” he said in his Instagram video.
Mixed Reactions on Social Media
Hassan’s video has been gaining traction on social media, sparking discussions about travel between India and Pakistan. One user commented, “Pakistani awaam should be allowed to visit India and vice versa,” advocating for increased travel freedom between the two countries.
Another user expressed surprise at the transit option, stating, “Omg I didn’t know this before!!! Will defo transit through India.” Others shared sentiments about hoping for unrestricted travel, with one comment reading, “I really wish we could travel freely between our two countries.”
Many users also wished Hassan a safe journey, reflecting the overall positive response to his experience.
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