In a bizarre development, a Pakistani woman living in Gurdaspur (Punjab) has gone missing after she was asked by authorities to leave India as soon as possible. The woman has been identified as Maria Bibi. Maria Bibi, who is a Pakistani citizen, is 6 months pregnant and is expecting her first child with the Indian man she married last year. As per reports, Maria Bibi had also appealed to the Indian government to allow her to stay.
For the unversed, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government cancelled visas issued to Pakistani nationals. Maria was among those instructed to return to Pakistan. Despite appealing to the Ministry of Home Affairs for a Long Term Visa (LTV) based on her marriage to an Indian citizen, she was told she would be arrested if she did not comply with the return order.
As per Dainik Bhasker, Maria Bibi said, "I don't want to go back. I wish to stay here with my in-laws."
As per the report, Maria Bibi visited the government hospital in Sathiali, Gurdaspur, on Saturday night, reporting that she had fallen at home. A gynecologist examined her and admitted her for treatment. However, after this visit, Maria's whereabouts became unknown, and the police have since lost track of her.
How did Maria Bibi come to India?
Maria hails from Bankachima, Gujranwala, Pakistan. Six years ago, she met Sonu, a resident of Gurdaspur, through Facebook. Their online friendship blossomed into a relationship. Maria applied for an Indian visa several times but was denied for 3 years. She finally secured a tourist visa and arrived in India on July 4, 2024. She married Sonu on July 8, 2024, in Gurdaspur.
After marriage, the Pakistani woman applied for an LTV (Long Term Visa), citing her marriage to an Indian citizen. However, her application remains undecided.
Maria further said, "There has been no decision on my LTV application, yet new orders require me to leave. I am confused and distressed. I do not want to leave my husband and home in Gurdaspur."
Her husband, Sonu Masih, added, "I struggled for three years to bring Maria here. I completed all necessary formalities, including securing a sponsorship letter. Now, they are asking her to go back. It’s heartbreaking."
SHO Kulwinder Singh of Kahnuwan Police Station was quoted saying, "Following government orders, Maria was asked to return to Pakistan. She had indicated on Saturday that she would be leaving, but whether she actually left or not is currently unknown."