Indian woman in Pakistan returns home after 22 years

LAHORE:

Hameeda Bano, an Indian national from Mumbai, has returned to India after spending 22 years in Pakistan.

In 2002, Bano was lured to Pakistan by an agent who promised her a job in Dubai, but she found herself stranded in Hyderabad instead.

After several months of hardship, she married a resident of Karachi, who passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving her to live with her stepson.

In 2022, a local YouTuber shared a video featuring Hameeda Bano who shared her story of being deceived by an agent and ending up in Pakistan.

The video went viral on social media, leading to the discovery of her daughter living in Mumbai.

In 2022, the government took notice of Hameeda Bano's case and contacted Indian authorities to verify her citizenship.

After India confirmed her citizenship, arrangements were made for her to return. On Monday, she was sent back to India via the Wagah border.

Hameeda Bano expressed mixed emotions about leaving Pakistan, saying that while initially disappointed, she was now happy to reunite with her family.