LAHORE: Pakistani Rangers on Monday escorted an Indian woman, who had married a Pakistani man during her stay in the country, to the Wagah Border for repatriation after the expiry of her visa, sources said.
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The woman, identified as Sarbjit Kaur, a Sikh by birth, had arrived in Pakistan on November 4 last year to attend a 10-day festival commemorating the 556th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism. Her visa was valid until November 13, but she did not return to India after its expiry.
During her stay, Kaur married Naseer Hussain, a resident of Sheikhupura, in what was described as a marriage of choice. She also converted to Islam, adopting the name Noor Fatima prior to the marriage, and continued living in Pakistan with her husband.
Sources told Geo News that Kaur was brought to the Wagah Border, where she is expected to be handed over to Indian authorities after the completion of formal procedures, including the customary border parade.
According to the sources, Kaur and Hussain first connected through social media in 2016, and their relationship developed over several years before culminating in marriage.
Speaking to Geo News, Advocate Ahmed Hassan Pasha, counsel for Kaur, said his client was returning to India of her own free will. He explained that under the Foreigners Act, 1946, she could not legally remain in Pakistan at present.
The lawyer added that Kaur plans to return to Pakistan on a spouse visa after completing the necessary formalities in India and would later apply for permanent residence.
Rangers sources said repatriation arrangements were initiated after the woman failed to return to India upon the completion of her visa period.
Earlier, in November last year, Kaur appeared before a judicial magistrate in Sheikhupura, where she recorded a statement confirming her conversion to Islam and marriage to Hussain. She told the court that she had taken both decisions voluntarily and without any pressure.
According to the nikahnama (marriage certificate), the 48-year-old solemnised her marriage on November 5, with a dower amount of Rs10,000, which has already been paid.
