Indian Woman Reunited with Family After 22 Years in Pakistan

Hamida Banu, a 75-year-old Indian woman who was deceived into traveling to Pakistan for a job in Dubai over two decades ago, has successfully returned to India after her family located her via social media.

In a poignant tale of resilience and reunion, Hamida Banu, a 75-year-old Indian woman, has returned home after 22 years of being trafficked to Pakistan. Her incredible journey back to her family began 18 months ago when her grandson encountered her in a YouTube video, conducted by Pakistani activist Waliullah Maroof. Banu, who describes her two-decade ordeal as “living as a corpse,” was tricked in 2002 into leaving India under the pretext of securing employment in Dubai.

Despite her years of wrongful detention and separation, Banu retained hope of reconnecting with her children and siblings in India. The unfortunate incident began when a recruitment agent approached her, promising a lucrative job opportunity in Dubai for a payment of 20,000 rupees (approximately $250). Instead of reaching her promised destination, Banu found herself in Pakistan's Hyderabad, detained for three months before ultimately marrying a street vendor in Karachi, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The breakthrough in Banu's case came when Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh shared her YouTube interview on social media, which reached her family in India after her grandson recognized her. This pivotal moment led to a call that bridged two decades of separation, allowing Banu to communicate with her daughter, Yasmin.

On crossing back into India, Banu expressed her mixed emotions, having spent over two decades away from her loved ones. She reflected on her video’s impact, revealing how the Indian embassy contacted her one year ago, facilitating her journey back home. Now reunited with her family, Banu aims to rebuild her life while ensuring she does not become a burden, feeling grateful for the chance to reconnect after years of heartache.