Indian embassy approaches FO, seeking access to stranded girl

Geeta, stranded in Pakistan for last 13 years, is believed to have mistakenly crossed into Pakistan as a child

After receiving directives from Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Monday, Indian High Commission in Islamabad has approached Pakistan’s foreign office to arrange their meeting with the Indian girl stranded in Pakistan for the past 13 years.

Sources in the high commission told The Express Tribune that Dr TCA Raghavan, his wife along with a delegation of senior officials of the High Commission are likely meet Geeta on Wednesday in Karachi.

Earlier, Swaraj had asked the Indian envoy to meet Geeta and look into the matter.

In response to a tweet of Pakistani human rights activist Ansar Burney, Swaraj said, "I have asked Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr TCA Raghavan to go to Karachi with Mrs Raghavan and meet this girl."

I have asked Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan Dr TCA Raghavan to go to Karachi with Mrs Raghavan and meet this girl. @AnsarBurney

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) August 3, 2015

Geeta, 23, is believed to have mistakenly crossed into Pakistani territory as a child. Her story bears striking resemblance to that of Salman Khan-starrer Bajrangi Bhaijaan.

Read: Activists seek to reunite Indian girl with family

Geeta who can neither speak nor hear lives at the Edhi Foundation shelter in Karachi’s Mithadar. She was first brought to an Edhi Centre in Lahore, the girl was moved to the shelter in Karachi where Bilquis Edhi named her ‘Geeta’ and has become quite close to the girl.

“The Punjab Rangers brought her to us some 13 years ago,” Faisal Edhi of the Edhi Foundation said. “For years, we have been trying to locate her family or her hometown so that she can return.”

The only communication she has managed with the Edhi staff is recognising the Indian map on a mobile phone and breaking down into tears. Sobbing silently, she frantically points first at the Indian state of Jharkhand and then at Telangana, trying hard to tell something of her past that may be a clue for them.

Read: Is Bajrangi Bhaijaan inspired by Pakistani activist Ansar Burney?

Further, a representative of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad, Balveer, called The Express Tribune to inquire about the girl. “We will be going to meet the girl and will also be speaking to Edhi Foundation in this regard,” he said.

Soon after, Faisal Edhi told The Express Tribune that the Indian envoy has contacted him and they will travel to Karachi to meet Geeta on Tuesday or Wednesday.

With the success of the Bollywood film, activists have capitalised on the momentum to make more of an effort to reunite Geeta with her family. Activist Ansar Burney, who has raised this issue three years ago during a visit to India, is now running an active campaign for her on Facebook.