MEA in touch with Pak to ensure safe return of Indian woman forced to marry at gunpoint

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday assured that said that India is coordinating with the Pakistan Foreign Office for the safe return of an Indian woman Uzma, who alleged that she was sedated, tortured and forced to sign a nikah nama at gunpoint in Pakistan.

Talking to media, MEA spokesperson Gopal Bagley said, “The Indian High Commission has provided Uzma necessary consular and legal assistance. We are coordinating with Pakistan Foreign Office for the safe return of the lady to India and are also in touch with her family in India on the matter. She is safe, feeling secure. We are in touch with Pakistan to address the matter of her safe return, at the earliest. “

Uzma statement was recorded on Monday in front of the Judicial Magistrate First Class in Pakistan, as per their internal legal requirement. “She is staying there on her own will because of her distress. She has reported this to both the Judicial Magistrate and the media,” Bagley added.

The Pakistan Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday said that Uzma will be repatriated only after all legal requirements are completed.

Dawn News quoted FO spokesperson Nafees Zakaria, as saying that Uzma’s case is currently being heard in …read more