Indian Woman Returns Back Home After Over 2 Decades in Pakistan

Hameeda Bano, an Indian national from Mumbai, has returned to India after spending 22 years in Pakistan.

In 2002, she was deceived by an agent who promised her a job in Dubai but instead left her stranded in Hyderabad, Pakistan. After enduring months of hardship, Bano married a Karachi resident, who later passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving her to live with her stepson.

In 2022, her story came to light when a local YouTuber featured her in a video. In the video, Bano recounted how she was misled by the agent and ended up in Pakistan. The video went viral on social media, eventually leading to the discovery of her daughter living in Mumbai.

Later that year, the government took notice of her situation and contacted Indian authorities to confirm her citizenship. Once her Indian citizenship was verified, arrangements were made for her return. On Monday, Hameeda Bano crossed back into India via the Wagah border.

While bidding farewell to Pakistan, Bano shared her mixed feelings. Although initially upset about leaving, she expressed happiness at being reunited with her family after two decades.