Online marriage fiasco: American woman finally returns home

An American woman, Oneja Andrew Robinson, who came to Karachi from the US allegedly for a love marriage with a Pakistani man, has returned to the US disappointed after 120 days. She travelled on a foreign airline flight EK-603, which will take her to the US via Dubai.

Oneja, a resident of New York, arrived in Karachi on October 11 on a one-month tourist visa, believing she had found love. However, after her visa expired on November 10, she did not leave and spent several months wandering in Karachi. Her Pakistani visa and return ticket had expired, and when she attempted to enter the Karachi Airport in mid-January, security stopped her. The Airport Security Force (ASF) handed her over to the airport police.

According to police, following the intervention of the governor of Sindh, an exit permit for 15 days was issued to her on January 27. A welfare organisation arranged her return ticket to the US.

Attempts were made to send her back on January 29, but after going through all the airport procedures, she suddenly refused to board the flight. Even after reaching the aircraft, she complained to the airline staff that she was being forcibly sent back, leading the airline to offload her.

She then took a taxi from the airport and reached the house of her alleged friend in Garden, where she stayed for several days. Later, a welfare organisation provided her with shelter. Due to health issues, she was admitted to a special ward at Jinnah Hospital a few days ago, where she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After several days of treatment, a five-member medical board declared her fit for travel and discharged her from the hospital on Friday evening.

She was given regular OPD medication and sent to the airport under police custody. Earlier, officials from the US Consulate had convinced her to return home during a hospital visit, and the consulate itself arranged her travel ticket.

A local humanitarian, Mr. Chippa, tried to help Robinson, but she repeatedly rebuffed his efforts. Her antics, including a bizarre McDonald's order and a failed attempt to check her into a psychiatric facility, further fueled the spectacle.