A 19-year-old Tunisian girl, Sanda Ayari, has been left stranded in Karachi after her Pakistani husband divorced her just seven months into their marriage.
According to police sources, Sanda Ayari befriended Muhammad Amir, a resident of Nayaabad Lyari, through Facebook. Following their online interactions, the Tunisian girl arrived in Karachi on a 90-day visit visa on November 28. The couple got married a day later, on November 29, and their marriage was officially registered with the Lyari Baghdadi Union Council on March 6.
However, their union was short-lived. Muhammad Amir reportedly divorced Sanda after just seven months. Left with no means to support herself, Sanda approached the local police station seeking assistance.
In her statement to the authorities, Sanda said her husband no longer wished to live with her, and she was now facing serious financial difficulties, as even her visa had expired on February 18.
"I don’t even have money for my daily expenses," she said, appealing to the Pakistani government to issue her an exit permit so she can return to Tunisia.
Police officials confirmed that Muhammad Amir was called to the police station, where he informed them that he had divorced Sanda. He did not express any intention of reconciling or supporting her.
Police also noted that the girl did not accuse Amir of any physical abuse or misconduct. In the interim, local authorities have provided temporary shelter for Sanda at the women's police protection centre in Lyari's Old City area while her case is being processed.
This case comes shortly after a similar incident involving an American woman, Onijah Robinson, who travelled to Pakistan for love but was reportedly deceived.
