Karachi, Pakistan: A Pakistani national from Karachi, Muhammad Fahad, is on the verge of an emotional reunion with his family after spending nearly 18 years in an Indian prison on what have now been declared baseless terrorism charges.
Fahad, a resident of Nazimabad, was only 24 years old when he traveled to India on a visiting visa in 2006 to meet his paternal grandmother. Fresh out of university, he could never have imagined that the end of this trip would lead to nearly two decades of imprisonment, separating him from his loved ones.
After his visa expired, Fahad encountered severe hardships and was arrested on multiple charges, including terrorism. However, an Indian court has now acquitted him of all allegations. Currently 42, Fahad is waiting in a rehabilitation center near Bengaluru for the necessary documents to return to Pakistan.
“I have been acquitted by the Indian court, and now I am requesting the Pakistani authorities to process my documents so that I can return home,” Fahad said in a heartfelt appeal. Grey-haired and visibly aged, he spoke of his deep yearning to reunite with his family, who have been waiting for him in Karachi for nearly two decades.
According to Geo News, Fahad’s release and repatriation now depend on official discussions between the foreign ministries of both countries. Mumtaz Zehra Baloch, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, “Pakistan’s foreign affairs department raises such cases with Indian authorities, and after official discussions, Pakistani nationals in India and Indians in Pakistan are repatriated.”
This case follows a recent example of cross-border reunification. Hamida Banu, a 75-year-old Indian woman who had been a victim of human trafficking, was repatriated to India after spending 24 years in Pakistan. Her family found her through a viral YouTube video, leading to her return 18 months later.
For Fahad and his family, the hope of a long-awaited reunion now rests on swift action by the Pakistani authorities to facilitate his return.
