LOWER DIR: Ms Anju, a 34-year-old Indian woman who married her Facebook friend from Upper Dir four months ago, left for her homeland after expiry of her visit visa, according to family sources.

Her husband Nasrullah saw her off at Wagah border.

The Indian woman, who became Fatima from Anju, arrived on July 22 through Wagah border four months ago and married Nasrullah, a 29-year-old resident of Upper Dir. On Wednesday, she silently left for India.

Her husband told this scribe that they both had gone to Lahore three days ago where they visited the historical places like Badshahi Mosque, Shahi Qilla, Pakistan Park etc.

He said that she had been missing her two children in India since she came to Pakistan.

“She entered India exactly at 2pm on Wednesday through Wagah border,” he said, adding that her one-month visa had already expired.

Nasrullah said that she had applied for extension of visa but due to some difficulties, it could not be extended. He said that the process was supposed to take four months to one year.

He said that despite her repeated pleas, the visa was not extended so she decided to go back through a 15-day departure letter and canceled the visa extension application. He said that before her departure, leaving for India, few friends arranged a farewell party for them in Lahore.

Nasrallah said that she would come to Pakistan again after three months. “If I get a visa for India, then I myself will take Anju back,” he said. He said that she was pursuing a case about seeking divorce from her first husband in India and she wished to meet her children. He said that she got a lot of love and respect from everyone in Pakistan.

Nasrullah thanked the people of Dir for fully supporting him and said they did not let him lack anything.

His family sources said that they were trying to shift to Dubai permanently to live a peaceful life wherefrom Ms Anju could also call her two children.

Ms Anju had solemnised a court marriage with Nasrullah after her conversion to Islam on July 25 in Upper Dir.

Later the couple got unprecedented love and respect from locals and outsiders. Several companies also announced plots and awarded the couple with precious gifts in parts of the country.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2023