Sinda Ayyari, a 19-year-old Tunisian woman who travelled to Karachi to marry a man she met on social media, has been handed over to the Tunisian Embassy for repatriation. After her marriage ended in divorce and a subsequent suicide attempt, the Women Police Station Liaquatabad intervened, providing her shelter before coordinating her transfer to Islamabad with embassy assistance.
Ayyari befriended Muhammad Amir, a Lyari resident, online and arrived in Pakistan on November 28, 2024, after obtaining a visa. Initially, the couple lived together happily, but minor disputes led to their divorce, leaving Ayyari stranded as her 90-day visa expired in February. Unable to return home, she grew increasingly distressed, even attempting suicide. Police confirmed she filed no formal complaint against Amir but ensured her safety given her vulnerable state.
Speaking to Geo.tv, Ayyari revealed her wish to remain in Pakistan for a few months to recover from the emotional trauma. “My relatives are taunting my family over the divorce, so they want me to stay away for a while,” she said, though her father remains supportive of her return. She claimed friends in Karachi and Islamabad offered help with jobs and accommodation if her visa was renewed—though she doubted authorities would extend it.
Following media coverage, the Ministry of Interior offered an urgent exit permit, advising her to apply online for clearance. Police, acting on directives from senior officials, facilitated her move to Islamabad, where the embassy is finalizing her return to Tunisia. Her case underscores the challenges of cross-border marriages and the importance of legal safeguards for foreign nationals in such situations.