ISLAMABAD, Jan 6: An Indian woman, Sarabjit Singh Kaur, who married a Pakistani man of her choice, has been shifted to a shelter home in Lahore, pending a final decision regarding her handover to Indian authorities.
Geo News quoting sources on Tuesday said Sarabjit Singh Kaur was moved to Dar-ul-Aman in Lahore as authorities continue consultations over her legal and administrative status. The process of handing her over to Indian officials remains undecided.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Kaur had arrived in Pakistan on November 4 last year with a group of Sikh pilgrims from India. Instead of returning to India with her pilgrimage group, she stayed back in Pakistan.
She converted to Islam and married Sheikhupura resident Nasir Hussain in a marriage of choice. The sources said Kaur had first contacted Hussain in 2016 through social media, which later developed into a relationship. She has reportedly changed her name to Noor.
These developments later became part of official inquiries when her presence in Pakistan came to light. Her lawyer, Ahmed Hassan Pasha, told Geo News that under the Foreigners Act 1946, Kaur was not authorised to stay in Pakistan, which is why arrangements were made to send her back to India. He added that she could later return to Pakistan on a spouse visa from India and subsequently apply for permanent residence.
Kaur was earlier scheduled to be sent back to India after completing parade formalities at the Wagah border. However, her return could not take place due to technical issues with her travel documents.
Officials stated that she would be handed over to India as soon as the documentation process is completed by Indian authorities. Until then, her return remains on hold, Samaa reported.
Meanwhile, Ali Changezi Sindhu, the lawyer pursuing the case against Kaur in the High Court, said the matter was still pending before the court. During a hearing on December 5, Justice Farooq Haider sought reports from the Cabinet Division, the Punjab Inspector General, the Federal Investigation Agency and other relevant institutions. (UNI)
Follow our WhatsApp channel
