75-Year-Old Pakistani Woman Awaits Indian Citizenship

It has been a wait of over 20 years now and this 75-year-old woman has yet not been granted an Indian citizenship. Habeeb Unissa Begum was born in India and was married in 1955 in Hyderabad. After her marriage, she moved with her husband to Pakistan. However, she returned to India within eight months.

Begum's brother Toufeeq Ali told ANI, "My sister Habeeb Unissa's marriage was performed in 1955 in Hyderabad, India and then her husband's brother, who was in Pakistan, took them across the border for better livelihood. They entered into Pakistan through Indo-Pak border illegally and they were staying there."

There were no job opportunities in Pakistan. The couple was struggling and found it difficult to find a living in Pakistan. After which, they decided to return to India.

Ali stated, "My sister then asked her husband to leave Pakistan and return to India. During that time they could not come through the border as it was closed. Later, her husband's brother applied for Pakistani passports for the couple and they returned to India via ship."

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In 1987, they applied for renewal of the passport. After which they submitted the Pakistan Passport to the Pakistan Embassy for cancellation purposes. “However, later we submitted it back to the Pakistan Embassy for cancellation and took renunciation letter from them in 1997. After that, we applied for Indian citizenship and have waiting to get the citizenship since them," said Ali. Habeeb's husband and son are no more.

Ali claimed that they have met different concerned authorities in Hyderabad but the authorities are providing them stay and not giving Indian citizenship to his sister.

Ali had requested the government to help his sister. He said, "Habeeb Unissa is now 75 years old and her husband and son have expired. She is looking after her two daughters. I would like to request the government to help my sister in getting the Indian citizenship."

As per the rules, any foreigner who has been residing in the country for seven or more than seven years can apply for Indian citizenship.

Picture Credit: ANI news

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