From rejected visas to 'dhol' beats: Pakistani woman's 5-year journey to marry Kolkata fiance

In a heartening tale of love overcoming international borders, Javeria Khanum, a resident of Karachi, Pakistan, has crossed over into India to marry her fiance Sameer Khan from Kolkata. Javeria's arrival at the Attari-Wagah border in the Amritsar district marked the end of a challenging journey that saw two visa rejections and delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Welcomed by Sameer Khan and his family to the rhythmic beats of 'dhol', Javeria, who has been granted a 45-day visa, expressed her gratitude to the Government of India for allowing her to stay and marry her partner after a five-year-long relationship.

The cross-border love story is reminiscent of a similar case involving Seema Haider, a Pakistani woman who crossed into India to be with her online game friend, Sachin Meena. However, the joyous union took a different turn as central intelligence agencies sought a report on Haider's unauthorized entry into India.

The agencies sought detailed information from Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) and Uttar Pradesh Police, leading to Haider's arrest on July 4 for entering India illegally. Meena, who had provided shelter to Haider, also faced legal consequences. The contrasting stories highlight the complexities that can arise in cross-border relationships, even when fueled by genuine love.