The hopes for an early return of Indian national Sarabjit Kaur to India have suffered a setback. She has been transferred to a women's shelter home in Lahore, as the necessary clearance from Pakistan's Ministry of Interior remains pending.
Official Letter Halts Deportation Process
A letter from Pakistan's Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which circulated widely online, confirmed the development. Deputy Secretary (Shrines) Syed Faraz Abbas wrote to the Home Department of Pakistan's Punjab government, stating that Sarabjit's deportation had been stayed. The letter cited the awaited permission from the interior ministry and directed authorities to move her to Dar-ul-Aman, a shelter home, where she would stay under strict police protection.
The Journey from Pilgrimage to Custody
Sarabjit Kaur, a resident of Amanipur village in Punjab's Kapurthala district, had travelled to Pakistan using a religious pilgrimage as cover. She was in contact with a Pakistani national, Nasir Hussain, via social media, and reports suggest they intended to marry.
Facing difficulties obtaining a regular visa, she applied as part of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee's jatha of 1,932 pilgrims visiting Pakistan from November 4 to November 13, 2025, for Guru Nanak Dev's 556th birth anniversary. On the departure date at the Wagah border, she was found missing from the group.
Her disappearance triggered a coordinated search. She was eventually traced and taken into custody from Pehre Wali village near Nankana Sahib on January 4, as her visa had expired on November 13. Investigations revealed she had married Nasir Hussain, converted to Islam, and taken the name Noor Hussain.
Awaiting Clearance for Return
Following a petition filed by a Pakistani Sikh leader for her deportation, the ETPB sought special permission from the interior ministry to facilitate her exit via the Wagah land border. The official correspondence clearly states that until this approval is granted, she will remain at the Dar-ul-Aman shelter in Lahore. While some media reports indicate she may be allowed to return to India soon, the current administrative delay has put those plans on hold indefinitely.
