Long-Lost Indian Woman Reunites with Family after 22 Years in Pakistan

After being trafficked to Pakistan under false pretenses in 2002, Hamida Banu has finally reunited with her family in India, enabled by a YouTube video that linked her to her grandson. Her story sheds light on the impact of human trafficking and the importance of global awareness.

Hamida Banu, an Indian woman who suffered two decades of displacement, has returned to India after being trafficked to Pakistan under the guise of a job in Dubai. It was a YouTube video that led to her discovery by her grandson 18 months prior. Banu, 75, described her life during those years as "a living corpse" deprived of any contact with her family.

In 2002, after her husband’s death, Banu found a recruitment agent who promised her employment in Dubai for a fee of 20,000 rupees (approximately $250). Instead of the promised job, she was taken to Hyderabad in Pakistan, where she was held captive for three months. Eventually, she married a street vendor and settled in Karachi, where she faced numerous challenges, including the loss of her husband during the pandemic.

Her plight was brought to light in July 2022 by Indian journalist Khalfan Shaikh, who stumbled upon her interview conducted by Pakistani activist Waliullah Maroof. This video gained traction and eventually reached Banu's grandson, who connected her with her family back in India.

After two decades of uncertainty, Banu finally crossed the border back into India, where she joyfully reunited with her family. Expressing her relief and happiness, she emphasized that her absence was not by choice and reaffirmed her desire not to become a burden to her loved ones.

Banu's harrowing story highlights the dangers of human trafficking and the pivotal role of technology in fostering connections across borders, bringing families together even after many years apart.