20 September 2024
From Farooq Mehsud
DERA ISMAIL KHAN
Sayeda Anam Naqvi, a lawyer from Dera Ismail Khan, has been going through a difficult time for the past 15 months after her husband Saifur Rehman fraudulently brought their three-year-old son Ali Abbas to the UK. Less than three months later, he sent Naqvi a divorce notice from abroad.
“I still remember the painful day when my child was taken away from me on July 22, 2023,” recalls Naqvi. “On September 7, at 5:12 p.m., I received a WhatsApp message with my divorce notice. I couldn't believe it, especially because Rehman Sahib had blocked me on the messaging app.”
She adds: “Only a mother who has experienced something similar can understand my feelings. I couldn't believe that this was happening to me… such stories usually only appear in court or on TV series.”
Despite the emotional turmoil, Naqvi refused to back down. She began a legal battle for her son's return and applied for extradition in a British court. Although she was initially successful, the victory was short-lived as Rehman disregarded the court's order. “On February 8, 2024, the court ruled in my favor and ordered the return of my son,” she says.
She pursued the matter further and filed another case with her local family court in the UK on October 13, 2023 with the help of lawyer Sulema Jahangir. The court ordered the retention of Rehman's passport on October 16, 2023 and summoned him the next day.
This triggered a series of appeals by Rehman, further complicating the situation.
“The order was that the child would be returned to me on June 3. It was supposed to land in Islamabad,” explains Naqvi.
Her lawyer in Pakistan, Syed Abid Hussain Bukhari, highlights the ongoing challenges: “It has been more than four months since the court ordered the return of the child, but he has yet to be produced before the court.”
Bukhari points out that Naqvi's fight for guardianship has been hampered by Rehman's refusal to appear in court for over three months. “Even the police are not cooperating,” he adds.
The emotional burden on Naqvi was great. Her experiences led to psychological problems.
Her doctor Dr. Rizwana Kulsoom says: “The separation from her child has caused her severe mental and emotional pain, which has led to depression.”
As Naqvi continues to fight for her son, her story sheds light on the complexity and heartache of international custody disputes.
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