Pakistan, Oct. 9 -- India's technology industry says major IT companies have reduced their reliance on US H-1B visas in recent years. Nasscom, the country's IT industry body, says firms have expanded local hiring in the United States. The statement follows Washington's suspension of a key green-card programme for several technology companies. Analysts expect limited immediate disruption but warn of longer-term uncertainty.

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The US government has suspended selected companies from the Permanent Labor Certification programme, known as PERM. The programme provides an important route for employers sponsoring foreign workers for permanent residency. The affected companies include Microsoft,...