IHC permits Indian woman to return home

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday accepted the plea filed by Indian national Dr. Uzma, by granting her permission for repatriation, ARY News reported.  

Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kiyani of the IHC was hearing two interlinked petitions filed by Dr. Uzma and her husband Tahir Ali.

Indian woman – Uzma – had filed a plea in the IHC and was seeking an immediate return to India by levelling stern allegations on her husband, Tahir Ali, of harassment and forced marriage.

Separately, her Pakistani husband had also filed a petition in response to allegations in which he adopted a stance that Indian High Commissioner (IHC) had pressurized his wife and requested the court to grant him permission to meet her.

During the court proceeding today, Justice Mohsin Akhtar queried Uzma whether she wished to exchange words with her husband on which she declined to have a word with him.

The court ruled that if Indian lady does not want to live with her husband, she cannot be forced to, and assured Uzma that she is free to return to her home country at any point. A letter from interior ministry was also submitted pertaining to the travel documents.

Moreover, the court directed Tahir Ali to submit all travel documents of his wife including immigration form before the court by tomorrow.

It is worth mentioning here that Uzma, earlier this month,  had said that she was forced to sign a marriage certificate on gun point.

Rejecting the claims of her husband, she had said that her all possessions were also taken away. She also rejected the claim that she came to Pakistan with an intention of marriage.

Muhammad Tahir, a Pakistani national,  had earlier alleged the Indian High Commission of detaining his wife when they went there to apply for his visa.

Uzma, from Delhi, met Tahir in Malaysia. She travelled to Pakistan on May 1st via the Wagah-Attari border crossing and the two reportedly contracted Nikah on May 3.