Pakistan Yet to Decide on Deportation of Indian Woman Sarabjit Kaur

Islamabad: The fate of Indian citizen Sarabjit Kaur remains uncertain as the Pakistani government has not yet finalized her deportation to India. Initially, Pakistani authorities indicated that Kaur, whose visa had expired, could be sent back via the Wagah border. However, the Ministry of Interior has not issued the necessary exit permit, leaving her future in limbo.

Background

Sarabjit Kaur traveled to Pakistan last November with a Sikh religious group but went missing after separating from the group. Reports later revealed that she married a Pakistani man, converted to Islam, and adopted the name Noor Fatima. Currently, the case regarding her deportation is pending in the Lahore High Court.

Health and Detention

According to The Tribune, Kaur underwent a medical check-up at Darul Aman, Lahore, and was declared fit for travel. Despite being medically cleared, the Pakistani authorities have not issued the exit permit required to hand her over to Indian officials at the Wagah border.

Advocate Ali Changezi Sandhu explained that under certain legal provisions, a special travel permit can be granted for cases like visa extension or related matters. In Sarabjit Kaur’s case, however, such a permit has not yet been issued.

Current Status

Due to the absence of the travel permit, Kaur is currently being held at Darul Aman, Lahore, and later transferred to a shelter home under police supervision, as requested by the Punjab Government’s Evacuee Trust Property Board and the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Advocate Sandhu confirmed that Sarabjit is in good health and is expected to be sent to India once the necessary permissions are granted. He also dismissed reports suggesting that she had sought asylum in Pakistan, emphasizing that the matter now rests entirely with the Ministry of Interior.