In a surprising turn of events, a 34-year-old married woman from Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, left her home and traveled to Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region to meet her Facebook friend, sparking concerns about cross-border relationships. This incident follows closely on the heels of a similar case where a Pakistani woman traveled to India to meet her Indian friend, leading to arrests on both sides of the border.
The woman, identified as Anju, works at a private firm in Bhiwadi and has been married for 16 years to her husband, Arvind Kumar, with whom she has two children. Anju reportedly met her Facebook friend, Nasarullah, four years ago, and their virtual friendship eventually blossomed into love, prompting them to make plans to meet in person in Pakistan.
According to her husband, Anju left their home on the pretext of visiting Amritsar, but the family later discovered that she had actually crossed the border and was in Lahore, Pakistan. Anju informed her husband that she intended to return to Bhiwadi in a few days.
Nasarullah, in an interview with a Pakistani television channel, revealed that they planned to get engaged soon, with Anju returning to India to meet her family before their marriage takes place in Pakistan. He expressed a desire to maintain their privacy and stay away from media attention.
The authorities on both sides of the border have confirmed the validity of Anju’s visa. Javed Khan, SHO of Upper Dir police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stated that the woman possesses a valid visa for 30 days, and there were no indications of illegal immigration. He assured that they would provide complete security to the couple to protect their privacy.
While neither the Indian nor Pakistani governments have instructed their respective police to launch any probe into the incident, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Bhiwadi, Sujeet Shankar, mentioned that they would investigate the matter if Anju’s family files a formal complaint.
The incident has raised questions and concerns about cross-border relationships and the potential legal implications. Anju’s case closely mirrors the recent detention of a Pakistani national, Seema Haider, who traveled to India to meet her Indian friend, Sachin Meena. Haider, along with her four children, entered India illegally, resulting in her arrest along with Meena and his father for providing shelter to the family.
As the situation unfolds, authorities and the public are paying close attention to the complexities of cross-border romances and the importance of addressing such situations with sensitivity and awareness of legal implications. The incident also highlights the impact of social media on modern relationships, transcending geographical boundaries and presenting unique challenges for individuals and governments alike.
Sources By Agencies
