LHC Continues Hearing in Indian National Sarbjit Kaur’s Deportation Case; Awaits Cabinet Division

Court told Kaur will remain at Lahore shelter home until special exit permits and federal clearances are finali
Ali Imran Chattha | Nazrana Times | February 6, 2026 | Lahore 

The Lahore High Court on Friday (February 6) continued hearings in the high-profile deportation case of Indian national Sarbjit Kaur also known as Noor Hussain, or Noor Fatima, who has been detained at a women’s shelter home in Lahore since early January over immigration and visa-related violations.Kaur, a 48 Year-old Sikh woman from Punjab, India, entered Pakistan on November 4, 2025, with a Sikh pilgrim group to attend Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary celebrations at Nankana Sahib. Her visa expired around November 13–14, but she stayed behind, reportedly converting to Islam, marrying Pakistani citizen Nasir Hussain from Sheikhupura, and taking the name Noor Hussain.Her overstay invoked legal provisions of Pakistan’s Foreigners Act, 1946, prompting authorities to detain her on January 4, 2026. An attempt to deport her via the Wagah-Attari border was delayed due to incomplete federal clearances and pending court petitions. She was later moved to the Dar-ul-Aman in Lahore for safety and legal processing.Government and Court Proceedings during Friday’s proceedings, officials from the Punjab Social Welfare and Bait-ul-Maal Department informed the court that Kaur would not be released from the shelter home without a formal special exit permit or specific court order. A departmental communication (Letter No. SO(inst.)1-12/2024 (P), dated February 4, 2026) was cited, seeking guidance from the Punjab Home Department on the deportation procedure.

The court was also reminded that the Ministry of Interior had already approved a special exit permit on January 6, 2026 (Letter No. 08-02/2022-INDIA-II(217)). However, full implementation remains pending coordination between various federal departments.Other federal responses included:Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Confirmed no role in the matter, with no objection to lawful deportation.Ministry of Human Rights and Minority Affairs: Echoed support for due legal process.Cabinet Division: Requested one month to appoint legal counsel and submit a comprehensive report.Advocate Ali Chengezi Sandhu, representing petitioner Mahinder Pal Singh (former MPA and ex-Parliamentary Secretary for Human Rights and Minority Affairs), argued that Kaur’s continued presence in Pakistan violates the Foreigners Act and that deportation should be expedited in line with law.

Current StatusThe Lahore High Court did not issue any deportation or release order today and directed continued monitoring of inter-departmental coordination. Kaur remains under protective custody at Dar-ul-Aman until federal ministries, particularly the Cabinet Division, complete required documentation and the special exit permit is executed.The case, drawing national and cross-border attention, touches on complex themes—religious conversion, marriage validity, visa misuse, and human rights—and continues to spark debate across social media and public forums. Further hearings are expected once the Cabinet Division files its response.