LAHORE: An Indian Sikh woman, Sarabjeet Kaur, was arrested in Pakistan after marrying a local Muslim man during a visit to the country in November 2025 and has since been sent to a government-run shelter home in Lahore, according to sources in the Punjab government. The case has sparked concerns over her immigration status, her claim for Pakistani citizenship, and allegations linking her to Indian intelligence.

Sarabjeet Kaur, 48, was part of a group of approximately 2,000 Sikh pilgrims who entered Pakistan via the Wagah border last November to participate in celebrations marking the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak. While most pilgrims returned to India after a few days, Kaur remained in Pakistan, and her subsequent disappearance raised alarm.

Officials later confirmed that Kaur married Nasir Hussain, a resident of Sheikhupura district located about 50 kilometers from Lahore, on November 4, a day after her arrival. The marriage reportedly took place under Islamic rites, and Kaur was given the Muslim name Noor prior to the nikah ceremony. Following the marriage, Kaur publicly stated that she had applied for Pakistani citizenship and had also approached the Indian embassy in Islamabad to extend her visa.

“I am a divorcee and wanted to marry Hussain; therefore, I came here for the purpose,” she said in a video clip released recently. “I happily married Hussain.”

The couple later filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, alleging that local police had conducted an illegal raid at their residence in Farooqabad, Sheikhupura, and pressured them to annul their marriage. Justice Farooq Haider of the Lahore High Court reportedly ordered the police to cease harassment and respect the legal status of the couple.

However, authorities allegedly ignored the court’s instructions. The Punjab police apprehended Kaur and sent her to Darul Aman, a government-run shelter home in Lahore, while her husband remains in police custody facing legal action. Sources indicated that the authorities had attempted to deport Kaur back to India but were unsuccessful due to the closure of the Wagah-Attari border at that time.

Complicating the situation, a former member of the Punjab Assembly, Mahinder Pal Singh, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court asserting that Kaur might be an “Indian spy.” Singh argued that her continued stay in Pakistan beyond the expiration of her visa constituted an illegal act with potential national security implications. “Staying in Pakistan after the expiry of her visa is an illegal act as the matter is linked to Pakistan’s national security,” he stated.

The case has drawn attention to the complex intersection of citizenship, personal liberty, and national securityconcerns. Kaur has publicly maintained that her stay in Pakistan is personal in nature and related solely to her marriage to Hussain. She also emphasised her willingness to comply with local legal procedures, including applications for visa extension and citizenship.

Legal experts in Pakistan note that Kaur’s situation reflects broader challenges surrounding foreign nationals who overstay visas or enter interfaith marriages in a country with strict nationality and security regulations. While courts have occasionally intervened to safeguard individual rights, local authorities have significant discretion in cases perceived as involving national security.

The case has also highlighted the societal and political sensitivities surrounding interfaith marriages in Pakistan, particularly those involving foreign nationals. Sources indicate that the legal system is now examining the validity of the marriage, the couple’s legal status, and compliance with immigration laws. Meanwhile, Kaur remains in the shelter home under government supervision.

Officials have stressed that any legal action against Kaur is unrelated to her religion or nationality per se, but is strictly tied to immigration compliance and legal protocols. Nevertheless, the petition alleging her connection to Indian intelligence has escalated tensions, drawing attention from media and political commentators.

As the situation develops, Kaur’s case raises pressing questions about the rights of foreign nationals in Pakistan, the authority of the police vis-à-vis court orders, and the balance between personal liberty and national security. Observers suggest that the resolution of her status will require careful legal adjudication and diplomatic engagement between India and Pakistan.

This incident follows a series of sensitive cross-border cases in recent years, reflecting heightened scrutiny of foreign nationals, especially from India, in Pakistan. It also underscores the legal and administrative challenges for individuals seeking to navigate personal choices, including marriage and citizenship, amid complex regulatory frameworks.

As of now, Kaur remains in the shelter home, while her husband continues to face legal proceedings. The authorities have not provided a timeline for potential deportation or citizenship resolution. The Lahore High Court is expected to monitor the case closely, particularly in light of the couple’s petition alleging unlawful police interference and harassment.

In summary, the case of Sarabjeet Kaur highlights a convergence of personal, legal, and diplomatic dimensions, reflecting the sensitive nature of cross-border movements, interfaith unions, and immigration laws in Pakistan. Her arrest and detention at a government facility have prompted questions about legal due process, while allegations linking her to intelligence activities have added a layer of political and security scrutiny to what began as a personal decision to marry.

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