A story that spans two decades of pain, struggle, and perseverance, Hamida Banu, an Indian woman who went missing in 2002, has finally been found in Pakistan with the help of social media. Her long journey back to her family is one of both heartbreak and hope.

The Journey That Started with a Dream

In 2002, Hamida Banu, a mother from Mumbai, made the difficult decision to leave her children behind to find work in the Middle East. She was promised a job as a cook in Dubai by a recruitment agent. However, instead of finding a better life, Banu was tricked and trafficked to Pakistan. There, she was detained for three months and forced into a life she never chose. Her family in India tried tirelessly to locate her, but their efforts were in vain for almost 20 years.

Two Decades of Desperation and Hope

Over the years, Banu’s family struggled with not knowing her whereabouts. Despite the difficult political relationship between India and Pakistan, and the lack of financial resources, they never gave up on the hope of finding her. They waited for any sign, any way to reconnect. Meanwhile, Banu herself, living in a foreign country, never stopped yearning to be reunited with her children. She had nearly lost hope, but her desire to see them again never wavered.

The Power of Social Media: A New Beginning

In July 2023, a breakthrough came when Waliullah Maroof, a social media activist from Pakistan, interviewed Banu and uploaded the video to his social media. Maroof, who had previously helped reunite women trafficked from Bangladesh, sympathized with Banu’s plight and used his platform to bring attention to her case. The video was shared by Khalfan Shaikh, a journalist based in Mumbai, and soon after, Banu’s family was able to identify her.

An Emotional Reunion: A Long-Awaited Video Call

In a heart-wrenching video call, Banu finally spoke to her daughter, Yasmin Shaikh, for the first time in two decades. Yasmin, her voice filled with emotion, asked, “How are you? Did you recognize me? Where have you been all these years?”

Banu responded with tears in her eyes, “Don’t ask me where I was, or how I’ve been. I missed you all so much. I didn’t want to stay here. I had no other choice.”

The conversation was filled with love, grief, and years of separation. For Banu, it was a moment she had dreamt of for 20 long years.

The Struggles of Banu’s Life in Pakistan

Banu’s life in Pakistan was far from easy. After being trafficked, she was held in a house for months before being able to live independently. She eventually married a man from Karachi, but he passed away during the Covid-19 pandemic. Since then, Banu had been living with her stepson. Yasmin, her daughter, recalls how, during her mother’s previous trips abroad, they would regularly hear from her. But after her departure in 2002, the family received no communication. When they contacted the agent who had arranged her job, they were told that Banu was fine and did not want to speak with them, before the agent mysteriously vanished.

Waliullah Maroof: The Catalyst for Change

Waliullah Maroof’s decision to help Banu was not without hesitation. Despite the tense relationship between India and Pakistan, Maroof, who had helped several Bangladeshi women reunite with their families in the past, decided to act on Banu’s behalf. He had known her for years, seeing her distress and learning of her difficult circumstances after her second husband’s death.

Despite the risk, Maroof took the initiative and uploaded the video. In the video, Banu mentioned her family’s name and her Mumbai address, which ultimately helped Yasmin’s son, Aman, recognize his grandmother. Aman had never met Banu, as he was born after she left.

The Road to Repatriation

Following the discovery, officials from the Indian High Commission in Pakistan reached out to Maroof, advising Banu to submit the necessary documents for repatriation. While the process of repatriation is still underway, Banu’s family is hopeful that she will soon return home.

For Yasmin, this moment is beyond words. “We waited for her for 20 years. I am so happy now. I can't stop smiling since I saw that video. It’s a strange, overwhelming feeling,” she says, overwhelmed by the long-awaited reunion.

The Power of Perseverance and Hope

Banu’s journey is a testament to the power of human perseverance, love, and the role of social media in bridging borders. After 20 years of being separated from her family, Banu’s hope for a reunion is finally becoming a reality. As she counts down the days until she returns home, her story reminds us of the deep bond between family and the lengths people will go to reunite with loved ones, no matter the distance.