Islamabad: Pakistan has suddenly halted the deportation of Indian Sikh woman Sarabjit Kaur at the last moment, despite prior preparations to send her back to India. According to Pakistani media, Sarabjit was set to be deported from the Wagah border yesterday evening, with all arrangements in place. However, the process was inexplicably stopped at the final stage, and the authorities have not provided any explanation for this abrupt reversal.
The case of Sarabjit Kaur, 48, has attracted significant media coverage in both India and Pakistan. It has now become a matter of growing international concern. Sarabjit, who was part of a group of Indian Sikh pilgrims visiting Pakistan to celebrate the birthday of Guru Nanak on November 4, 2025, mysteriously disappeared after her arrival. The rest of the group returned to India without her, and it was later revealed that she had converted to Islam and married her partner, Nasir Hussain, on November 5, 2025. Sarabjit also changed her name to Noor Hussain after the conversion.
After several days of being unaccounted for, the couple was eventually apprehended by Pakistani police, who informed that Sarabjit would be deported back to India. Arrangements for her return were reportedly made, but in a dramatic twist, the process was halted without any public explanation.
Pakistan’s Legal Challenge
According to The Tribune, Sardar Mohinderpal Singh, the former chairman of the Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee, has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court demanding that Sarabjit Kaur be deported for staying in Pakistan illegally. Singh argued that Sarabjit’s visa expired in November 2025 and she was in violation of Pakistani immigration laws, including the Foreigners Act of 1946. The Lahore High Court has now asked the Cabinet Division, Inspector General of Police, Chief Secretary, and other relevant authorities to submit reports regarding her case.
Ali Chengezi Sindhu, the lawyer representing Sardar Singh’s petition, emphasized that Sarabjit Kaur should be deported under the provisions of the Foreigners Act. He also called for an investigation into how Sarabjit Kaur, allegedly with a criminal record in India, was granted a Pakistani visa. The couple was arrested by Pakistani police and intelligence agencies in the Nankana Sahib area, after a raid on the village of Pehre Wali.
Legal and Political Complications
While Sarabjit Kaur faces allegations of fraud in India, she has been acquitted of all charges. However, the ongoing legal battles and the complexities of her situation have made her case a focal point of tension between the two nations. Pakistan’s unexpected reversal on deporting her raises questions about its political motives and its stance on the issue.
As of now, the reasons behind the decision to halt Sarabjit’s deportation remain unclear, and the situation continues to unfold. The case has escalated into a diplomatic issue, with both nations closely monitoring the developments.