- By Ajeet Kumar
- Fri, 21 Mar 2025 05:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A Pakistani businessman recently stunned his followers by making a shocking revelation that he flew to Mumbai on an IndiGo flight without an Indian visa. This raised eyebrows given the uncompromising visa conditions for Pakistani nationals travelling to India. Leisure trips between the two nations are rare due to these restrictions, yet businessman Waqas Hassan's journey was entirely within the bounds of the law.
In a video posted on Instagram, the businessman clarified that Pakistani citizens can legally transit through Indian airports on connecting flights without a visa, provided they stay within the airport premises. He noted that self-check-in isn't an option for such travellers, requiring them to book their entire journey on a single ticket. Hassan’s itinerary took him from Singapore to Saudi Arabia, with a six-hour stopover in Mumbai. He made the most of his time, wandering through the airport and sharing his experience.
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How did Pakistani able to travel at Mumbai Airport?
"My flight is currently going from Singapore to Saudi Arabia, and I’m in Mumbai with a six-hour layover. During this time, I’m roaming around Mumbai airport. I’ve checked out the lounge, eaten vada pav, picked up a keepsake, and it’s a really enjoyable feeling,” he said in the video as he explored the terminal.
He also explained his choice of an Indian airline, pointing out that carriers like IndiGo often provide more affordable options for east-to-west routes. Hassan admitted to some uncertainty about the plan, as he'd never encountered stories of Pakistanis using India as a transit point. "I've been travelling for 15 years, and no one ever mentioned that we (Pakistanis) could transit through India. Booking this ticket felt a bit risky,” he confessed.
"Don’t see many Pakistanis doing this"
The surprise extended to the immigration officials in Mumbai, who were visibly startled by his Pakistani passport. "They gave me a curious look and said they don’t see many Pakistanis doing this-- it was a first for them too," he recounted.
The video quickly gained traction, amassing over 800,000 views and sparking a wave of reactions from Indian and Pakistani Instagram users alike. One commenter remarked, "Happy you got to step on Indian ground. We're so near yet so distant because of politics. How was the vada pav?" Another user, fascinated by the revelation, wrote, "Wow, I had no idea about this! Definitely going to try transiting through India."
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Beyond documenting his transit adventure, Hassan shared additional clips of himself enjoying vada pav and sipping cutting chai at the airport, adding a flavorful touch to his unexpected layover story.
