Indian national Uzma finally returned to India on Thursday with Islamabad High Court's assistance. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj addressed a joint press conference with Uzma in New Delhi where the latter thanked the Union minister for her help and bringing her home safely.
Uzma, a doctor, had accused Pakistan man Tahir Ali of forcing her to marry him at gunpoint when she visited Islamabad last month. She had taken refuge at the Indian High Commission in Islamabad earlier this month and had requested the court to allow her to return to India.
At the press conference, Uzma narrated her ordeal and the emotional trauma and torture that she went through in the neighbouring country. She also described Pakistan as a "maut ka kua".
"Perhaps I would not have been alive if had I been there for a few more days. They would have had sold me, killed me. There are women from all countries. They are abused, harassed. There are many girls over there who are not able to get out... It is easy to go to Pakistan, but difficult to go out. Pakistan maut ka kua hai. (Pakistan is a well of death). Even those who go there after arrange marriage are crying... India is far better, there is freedom. I will always discourage people from going to Pakistan. Even men are not safe in Pakistan," Uzma told reporters.
She thanked Swaraj and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their support. "I never knew my life would have so much value. I am an orphan. For the first time, I felt as if my life too has a value. Sushma ma'am said being an Indian means you should be proud. I used to get calls from her daily. She said we are trying to do all we can to get you back. That encouraged me to think that Sushma ma'am, Centre is doing so much for me... I'd also like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi," the doctor said.
Swaraj, on her part, said: "Today, I want to thank the foreign ministry and the home ministry of Pakistan. If Uzma is with us today, they have a role too. I also want to thank lawyer Shahnawaz Noon who fought her case like a father. The Pakistani judge was told that this case was a matter of Pakistan's prestige. He asked how is it about India and Pakistan?"
Swaraj added that she was "proud of an officer like JP Singh. There was no one to advise him. But he did all he could for her. He said the moment she said she is an Indian, all other questions became redundant... The first time I spoke to JP, I said even if we had to keep her for one, two or three years, we would keep her at the Indian High Commission."
Uzma said Tahir had deceived her as he was already married and had four children. She also accused him of stealing her passport and other travel documents.
On Wednesday, the Islamabad High Court had said that Uzma could return to India and that the case will proceed in her absence. The bench, headed by Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani, gave Uzma her original immigration form, which Tahir had submitted to the court on Tuesday. The court had also directed police to provide her security till Wagah Border.
Tahir requested that he be allowed to meet Uzma in private. However, Uzma refused to meet him. Justice Kayani said Uzma would not be forced to meet Tahir if she does not wish so.
#WATCH Indian woman Uzma returns to India via Attari-Wagah border, she alleged she was forced to marry a Pakistani pic.twitter.com/x5FeEos6lS
— ANI (@ANI_news) May 25, 2017
Indian woman Uzma returns to India after permission by Islamabad HC; she had said she was forced to marry a Pakistani. pic.twitter.com/1Ulbi2RfnD — ANI (@ANI_news) May 25, 2017
"Very happy to hear that Uzma is back, but don't know when she will be back in Delhi, since her flight is delayed. Sushma Swaraj ji always kept us updated on Uzma, made me speak to her once, Indian govt thoroughly helped us, want to thank EAM," Wasim Ahmad, Uzma's brother, was quoted as saying by ANI.
Swaraj welcomed Uzma to India on Twitter. She wrote:
Uzma - Welcome home India's daughter. I am sorry for all that you have gone through.
— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) May 25, 2017
