The story behind MEA's rescue of Uzma

Indian woman Uzma Ahmed tricked her husband into taking her to the High Commission of India in Islamabad, a move that eventually relieved her from his clutches.

Believed to be in her twenties, Uzma told her husband Tahir Ali that her family would give Rs 1.5 lakh as wedding gift, convincing him that it is the custom in her Indian family.

On her return to India, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj revealed the incidents behind the scene that resulted in the MEA rescuing the woman.

Uzma, who claimed Ali had drugged her at the Wagah border and took her to a house in a remote place that had his other wives and children, made him believe that her brother works for the High Commission of India and is willing to give him the ‘nek’. She knew Ali was too greedy to swallow the bait.

She then proceeded with him to the High Commission, where she explained her situation to Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh. Uzma spared no details, right from the terrifying noises of gunshots in the house and the various tortures she was going through.

Heeding to her request, a couple were asked to pose as her brother and sister-in-law to meet Ali and tell him that Uzma would stay with them, Sushma said.

The woman also threatened to commit suicide if the High Commission failed to give her shelter and sent her back with Ali.  The minister said Singh called her for instructions and she asked the High Commission to confirm Uzma’s Indian roots before helping her. After MEA verified the address on Uzma’s passport, the minister said she stepped in and took hold of the issue. Sushma would call up Singh and Uzma thrice a day to ensure things went according to the plan.

Sushma also assured Uzma that she is India’s daughter and the country would fight to bring her home.

The woman was kept in the Indian High Commission complex under the watch of the employees, as she  was severely traumatised. She said she would rather swallow poison than going back to Ali, whom she courted in Malaysia.

To divert Uzma from the disturbed mental state, the minister had even asked that the girl be employed at the High Commission’s visa section handled by women staff.

Thanks to the cooperation of Pakistan’s  foreign and interior ministries and their court direction, Uzma was allowed to return home. At 2.30 pm late on Wednesday, J P Singh drove Uzma to the Wagah border, where they had to wait for two hours before the gates were opened for the official vehicle to cross over.