Marriages between India, Pakistan nationals failing: Report
- September 28, 2013, 7:16 pm
- National News
- 120 Views
Hyderabad, September 28 (Online): Cross-border marriages, especially between Indians and Pakistanis, are far from made in heaven, Indian media reported on Saturday.
Data obtained from India’s Pakistan and Bangladesh Cell (PBC) of the special branch reveals that 226 Pakistani nationals, who had hitherto renounced their Indian citizenship, have returned to the city after failed marriages.
Owing to the tension between the two countries, they are bereft of any support from family and friends. Divorces or untimely deaths of spouses forced these women, six of whom are Hindus, to return to their country of birth. Their in-laws, in many cases, refused to lend them a helping hand leaving them traumatised.
After the turbulent relationship with her Pakistani husband ended in 2006, Naseem Begum (name changed to protect identity) found herself back in the city with her four children. Unable to deal with the pangs of separation, Naseem is now seeking psychiatric help. "There is nothing that these women can do but return home. The laws of the land are such that it becomes difficult to grant them Indian citizenship again. People with similar problems like her have been living on Long Term Visas (LTV), ever since their arrival here," said an acquaintance of Naseem.
According to PBC officials, Indian citizenship is granted if the expatriate lives in the country for seven years. Once an application for citizenship is received, the PBC forwards it to the ministry of external affairs (MEA). "Granting citizenship is the discretion of the MEA. There are four cases in which persons involved are old and bedridden. They are yet to be granted citizenship. But the government understands their plight and allows them to live on LTVs," said a PBC officer, on the condition of anonymity. "Most of these women reside in and around Old City," the official said.
Officers pointed out that about five to 10 Pakistani citizens arrive in the city everyday. However, only those who intend to stay for more than 14 days are required to register with the PBC. "A large number of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis land in the city when universities hold seminars. But it is mostly family which brings them here," the officer said.
