LAHORE : Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sarbjit Kaur, an Indian Sikh national who converted to Islam after arriving in Pakistan on a pilgrimage visa, along with her Pakistani husband Naseer Hussain, officials confirmed.
According to Punjab’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora, the 48-year-old woman could be deported to India via Wagah border in the coming days, while her husband remains under investigation under Pakistani law.
Sarbjit Kaur arrived in Pakistan on 4 November 2025 as part of a Sikh pilgrimage group, with her visa valid until 13 November. However, she did not return with the group and instead married Naseer Hussain, a resident of Sheikhupura, in central Punjab. Both had remained in Pakistan since then.
The minister stated that intelligence agencies acted on information regarding the couple’s presence in a village near Nankana Sahib on 4 January, leading to their immediate detention and handover to Nankana Sahib police. Both are now in custody at the local police station.
Investigations revealed that the couple had initially met via TikTok in 2016 and had applied multiple times for visas, all of which were rejected due to legal reasons. Sources indicated that Sarbjit traveled with Naseer from the Gurdwara Janam Sthan in Nankana Sahib to their respective hometowns in Sheikhupura and Burj Attari.
Authorities have decided to involve the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) for Sarbjit’s deportation, while Naseer will remain under investigation, including a forensic examination of his mobile phone.
Earlier, in November 2025, the Lahore High Court had barred police from harassing Sarbjit, following a complaint filed by her alleging threats and pressure regarding her marriage. Police maintain that no harassment took place and the matter is being handled according to the law.
Court documents show that Sarbjit converted to Islam under Qari Hafiz Rizwan Bhatti and was given the Islamic name “Noor”, with the certificate of conversion issued on 5 November 2025. Their marriage registration lists Naseer Hussain as 43 and Sarbjit as 48, with a dower of 10,000 PKR, and notes that Naseer is legally permitted to marry again.
Sarbjit’s lawyer, Ahmed Hasan Pasha, confirmed that the couple had known each other for nine years, communicated via Instagram, and decided six months ago to marry. Sarbjit is divorced with two children from her previous marriage.
The case has drawn attention both domestically and internationally, given its sensitive nature involving cross-border movement, conversion, and legal procedures under Pakistani law. Authorities stress that all decisions will follow due process.
