Woman married in Pakistan not allowed to visit India, family appeals to Sushma Swaraj

HYDERABAD: The Pakistani husband of a woman from the city is making life miserable for Mohammedi Begum in Lahore and is refusing to allow her to travel back to India.

With the intervention of union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj, Pakistan authorities had granted visa to the 45-year-old woman to travel to India. The Indian government had also provided her a fresh Indian passport.

The visa was issued on November 9 and lapses by December 16. With just seven days for the visa to expire, Mohammedi Begum's parents are worried. "Her husband is torturing her and is refusing to send her back to India. She is being subjected to insults," Hajra Begum said in a YouTube message to Sushma Swaraj.

Mohammedi Begum had got married to Mohammad Younis in 1996. The family was given to understand that he was from Oman. The nikah was performed over the phone and Mohammedi Begum travelled to Oman. Later, Younis disclosed to her that he was from Pakistan and shifted her from Oman to Pakistan.

Mohammedi Begum who has five children from her husband went public with her woes posting a YouTube video about harassment by her husband. MBT leader Amjedullah Khan wrote to Sushma Swaraj about her problem earlier this year. In response, the external affairs minister took up Mohammedi Begum's case.

Even as Mohammedi Begum's family was relieved that she would finally be returning to India, the husband Mohammed Younis had reportedly told her she would not be allowed to travel to India. "He is physically and mentally torturing my daughter," Hajra Begum said urging Sushma Swaraj to help her daughter by providing an air ticket and ensuring that she boarded a flight to India without hassles.

The parents have urged the minister to see that their daughter reaches India.