Hamida Banu, a 75-year-old woman from India, has been reunited with her family after spending over 22 years in Pakistan. Her emotional return was made possible after her grandson recognized her in a YouTube video posted by a Pakistani activist.
Banu’s nightmare began in 2002 when she was deceived by a recruitment agent who promised her a job in Dubai. A widow supporting her four children as a cook, she paid the agent 20,000 rupees (around $250) for the opportunity. However, instead of taking her to Dubai, the agent trafficked her to Hyderabad, Pakistan, where she was held in captivity for three months. Eventually, Banu was forced to marry a street vendor in Karachi.
For over two decades, Banu lived a life of hardship, far from her home and family. She described her time in Pakistan as being “a living corpse.” Despite her suffering, she remained silent about her ordeal, never revealing the truth to her family. Her husband, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic, treated her kindly, though Banu emphasized that she had no choice but to stay in the marriage.
Banu’s story gained attention in July 2022 when Pakistani social media activist Waliullah Maroof interviewed her for a YouTube video. The video caught the eye of Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh, who shared it online, leading to a breakthrough. Banu’s family in India, who had been searching for her for years, finally recognized her. Her grandson, who had never met her, immediately identified her in the video, prompting an emotional call between Banu and her daughter, Yasmin. During the call, Banu tearfully told her family, “I missed you all so much. I didn’t stay here willingly; I had no other choice.”
Indian and Pakistani authorities worked together to confirm Banu’s identity, and by October 2023, her Indian citizenship was verified. This paved the way for her return to India.
Banu expressed gratitude upon her arrival but humbly stated, “I don’t want to be a burden on anyone.” Her reunion with her family marks the end of a painful chapter in her life, offering her a long-awaited opportunity to finally be with her loved ones after more than two decades.
