Javeria Khanum, a resident of Pakistan’s Dera Ismail, recently crossed the Attari-Wagah border in Punjab’s Amritsar to reunite with her fiance, Sameer Khan, in Kolkata after a five-year wait. The couple is set to tie the knot in January.
Javeria and Sameer’s love story began in 2018 when Sameer returned to Kolkata from Germany and stumbled upon Javeria’s picture on his mother’s phone. Instantly smitten, Sameer expressed his desire to marry her. Sameer’s mother then proposed the match to Javeria’s mother, and both families agreed. However, their journey towards matrimony was far from smooth.
Javeria had to apply for a visa to travel to India, but her application was initially rejected twice by the Indian High Commission. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 further delayed their plans. Undeterred, Javeria applied again and finally obtained a visa, marking a significant milestone in their love story. She crossed the Attari-Wagah border, where Sameer eagerly awaited her arrival with a bouquet and traditional ‘dhol’ music. The couple is now eagerly anticipating their upcoming wedding in January.
Expressing her gratitude, Javeria thanked the Indian government for granting her a 45-day visa. She shared her happiness upon receiving a warm welcome from everyone in India and expressed her disbelief at the grand reception she received. Sameer also voiced his appreciation for the Indian government’s assistance and called for the introduction of a special visa category for couples in similar situations.
Throughout their five-year journey, Sameer and Javeria sought help from the Indian government to expedite the process. Sameer mentioned that they could only meet three times in the past five years, twice in Thailand and once in Dubai, as Javeria’s visa applications were rejected twice by India. He expressed his hope that both governments would consider creating a special visa category for couples aiming to marry, while still prioritizing security concerns.
As their wedding approaches, Sameer revealed that his friends from various countries, including Germany, Africa, Spain, and the United States, are likely to attend the joyous occasion.
