John Abraham’s The Diplomat is trending on the OTT platform, Netflix, and revived the real-life story of Uzma Ahmed, an Indian Muslim, trapped in Pakistan in 2017. It was a seasoned IFS officer, JP Singh, and the then Minister of External Affairs of India, Sushma Swaraj, who played a crucial role in bringing back the young Indian girl.
The film stars John Abraham helming the role of ‘IFS officer JP Singh’ along with Sadia, Sharib Hashmi, Revathy and a few others. The film is the real-life story of Uzma, who was lured by a man to cross the border on the pretext of love. Little did Uzma know that crossing the Wagah Border would be like going into the well of death.
It has been eight years since she was rescued from Pakistan, but the scars are still fresh in her heart. Do you know that Uzma’s parents and siblings have no contact with her and abandoned her to fight her own battle? Read on to know more about it.
How did Uzma Ahmed get trapped in Pakistan?
After her failed first marriage, Uzma left for Malaysia to study Business Management. She had a daughter, Falak from her first marriage, who has thalassemia. Uzma left her daughter with her grandmother in New Delhi when she left for Malaysia. She met a man named Tahir Ali in Malaysia, who charmed her with his concern and asked her to visit his hometown.
Falling prey to Tahir, Uzma crossed the Wagah Border and walked into the trap laid by him. Tahir took Uzma to one of the remotest parts of northern Pakistan, the Buner district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is located on the Afghanistan border. Upon reaching there, Uzma realised that Tahir was already married with children.
She found herself with the other captive women. She was forced to marry Tahir and was subjected to daily torture and beating. All her belongings were taken by Tahir, and she was confined to a tiny place filled with pistols and other ammunitions.
Uzma Ahmed’s rescue by the Indian High Commission
Uzma Ahmed went to Pakistan as a tourist and soon realised it was a valley of death, and she would never be able to return to her home. With the help of another woman, who was also kidnapped, Uzma connected to a friend in Malaysia, who advised her to visit the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.
She tricked her husband, Tahir, and told him that as a tradition, her family had sent money to the newly married couple. She also told him that her brother, who worked at the Indian High Commission, would hand over the money to her. On reaching the High Commission, Uzma narrated her ordeal to JP Singh, who, with the help of Sushma Swaraj, helped her get out of Pakistan.
Why did Uzma Ahmed’s parents break all ties with her
Uzma’s parents have been living abroad for many years. After what happened to her in Pakistan, her parents broke all ties with her and stopped speaking to her. She has no siblings and spoke about being abandoned by her parents and told The Times of India:
“It’s been 14 years now that I have been living away from my family. My father is an NRI and lives abroad and ever since I’ve moved away, there has been no communication between us. I have always fought all battles by myself but the loneliness eats me up.”
Uzma currently runs a beauty parlour in Delhi
Uzma Ahmed currently runs a beauty parlour with her daughter Falak’s name in the lanes of Brahmpuri in northeast Delhi. Speaking to The Week about her work, Uzma shared:
“Between the parlour, looking after my daughter, the home and the kitchen, I don’t have any time. I tire myself out so completely with work that, once I enter my house, I can only eat, listen to some old songs and go to sleep.”
Uzma Ahmed’s heart-wrenching tale of being trapped in Pakistan is another example of human trafficking. The Diplomat has captured every nuance of her story.
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