Wagah Border, A woman from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, faced an agonizing ordeal at the Wagah border on Thursday, April 24, as she was denied permission to return to her husband and in-laws in Pakistan. Sana, who is married to a Pakistani national, was attempting to cross the border with her two young children but was stopped by authorities due to her possession of an Indian passport.
Sana had traveled to India with her children on a 45-day visa. However, the recent directive from the Indian government, following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, mandated that all Pakistani nationals residing in India on short-term visas were to leave the country by Sunday, April 27.
Despite holding a valid visa at the time of her attempt to cross, Sana was informed that she could not proceed to Pakistan with an Indian passport. Adding to her distress, her two children, who are Pakistani citizens, were permitted to cross the border. Torn between her children and the regulations, Sana made the difficult decision not to send her young son and daughter across the border alone.
Speaking to reporters with visible anguish, Sana recounted the emotional turmoil of the situation. “My children insisted on seeing their father, but I had to return. I could not allow them to be separated from me,” she said. 1 Her husband and in-laws were reportedly waiting on the Pakistani side of the border, unaware of the predicament she faced. Due to the denial of her crossing and the subsequent expiry of her visa, Sana was compelled to return to Meerut without meeting them.
The Meerut Superintendent of Police (Rural), Rakesh Kumar Mishra, confirmed that Sana has approached the local police station regarding the matter. “If any new information comes to light, it’s cognizance will be taken,” stated Mishra, indicating that the authorities are aware of her situation.
This incident highlights the human cost of the heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack. While the government’s directive aimed at Pakistani nationals on short-term visas is a security measure, it has inadvertently created heart-wrenching situations for families like Sana’s, who find themselves caught in the crossfire of diplomatic tensions.
The plight of Sana and her children underscores the complexities faced by individuals with cross-border family ties during periods of political strain. Her refusal to part with her children, despite the opportunity for them to reunite with their father, speaks volumes about the unbreakable bond between a mother and her children. As Sana seeks assistance from local authorities, the hope remains that a resolution can be found that allows for the reunification of this family without further emotional distress.