Seema Haider, who made news last year for leaving Pakistan to marry her Indian boyfriend, is once again in the spotlight. This comes after the Indian government asked all Pakistani citizens living in India to leave the country by the end of the month, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

Seema had entered India illegally through Nepal in 2023, along with her four children. She was already married in Pakistan and came from the Sindh province. Despite the nationwide criticism, Seema Haider’s lawyer believes she should be allowed to stay in India. He claimed that Seema is no longer a Pakistani citizen because she married an Indian man, Sachin Meena from Greater Noida, and recently gave birth to their daughter, Bharti Meena.

Her lawyer, Advocate AP Singh, told PTI that the government's order to send back Pakistani nationals should not apply to her, as it is meant for people who still hold Pakistani citizenship. He added, "Seema is now in India, and she is Indian. After marriage, a woman’s nationality is linked to her husband’s nationality."

He also mentioned that her case is already being investigated by the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which makes her situation different from others. Seema Haider’s lawyer, Advocate AP Singh, said he has also submitted a petition to the President of India on her behalf. He said that Seema is currently out on bail and has been following all the conditions set by the Jewar court-like not leaving her in-laws’ home in Rabupura, Greater Noida.

Singh also referred to international laws, saying that both the International Court of Justice and the Guardianship Act recognize a mother as the best guardian for her child. "Would you want to send a daughter born in India to Pakistan?" he asked.

He further argued that Seema’s marriage and her becoming a mother are part of a natural process that supports her staying in India. He said that the birth certificate issued by the Uttar Pradesh government lists Seema Meena as the mother and Sachin Meena as the father, showing her connection to Indian society.

When asked if this could help Seema stay in India despite the Centre's order for Pakistani nationals to leave, the lawyer said she should be allowed to stay. He explained that, according to the Guardianship Act, a child must stay with the mother.

After the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, the Ministry of External Affairs has cancelled all valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals from April 27, except medical visas, which are valid until April 29. Pakistanis in India must leave before their visas expire. Seema currently lives with her husband, Sachin, in Greater Noida, UP.

 

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