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Pakistani traveller Waqas Hassan shares unique experience of transiting through India without a visa.
In a rare yet perfectly legal travel experience, Pakistani entrepreneur Waqas Hassan recently surprised many by taking an IndiGo flight that had a six-hour layover at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Hassan, the founder of AiForAll, documented his unexpected journey through a viral Instagram video, giving viewers a glimpse of his brief yet memorable time in India.
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While Pakistani passport holders can visit India after obtaining a visa, the process is often stringent due to historical tensions and security concerns between the two nations. However, Hassan didn’t require a visa in this case, as he was merely in transit. Under current regulations, Pakistani citizens can transit through Indian airports on connecting flights but are not permitted to exit the airport during the layover — meaning self-check-in flights are off-limits.
Flying from Singapore to Saudi Arabia, Hassan made the most of his short time at Mumbai airport. He explored the terminal, relaxed in an airport lounge, bought a few souvenirs, and even sampled Mumbai’s iconic snack, vada pav. “It’s a pretty fun feeling,” he shared in his video, visibly delighted by the experience.
Hassan’s journey offers a rare perspective on Indo-Pak travel, shining a light on a little-known aspect of international travel rules between the two countries. His story quickly captured attention online, sparking curiosity and conversations about cross-border travel.
