Pakistan fully cooperating with India for Geeta's return: FO

Published
24

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday said Pakistan is "fully cooperating" with the Indian High Commission for return of Indian girl Geeta, who entered Pakistani territory 13 years ago by mistake.

In a statement issued by the Foreign Office, it was said no condition has been set for Geeta to report to the foreign ministry for obtaining permission to travel back to her birthplace.

The Foreign Office is in contact with the Indian High Commission in this regard, said the statement.

But it went on to say it was the responsibility of the Indian side to prepare travel documents for the girl.

Geeta, now 21, was found by the Punjab Rangers 13 years ago, sitting alone and disorientated on the Samjhauta Express in Lahore that had come across the Wagah border.

As no one claimed her, officers took Geeta to the Edhi Foundation, Pakistan's largest and best-known charity, in whose care she has remained ever since.

It was earlier reported by Dawn, that a sessions court in Karachi had disposed of an application of an Indian lawyer seeking information and subsequent custody of the deaf and mute Geeta and observed that diplomatic channels be used since the matter involved two countries.

Read more: Court dismisses Indian lawyer's petition seeking Geeta's custody

The Indian High Commissioner Dr T.C.A. Raghavan and Mrs Raghavan had last month visited Geeta at her Edhi Home and brought her good tidings from India along with several gifts.

Raghavan said he had personally wanted to meet the young girl to try and gain as much knowledge about her as possible.

Related: Ray of hope for Indian girl

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