Pak seeks details of Mashobra shelter home woman: NGO

Himachal Pradesh government has directed the police to verify the antecedents of a 45-year-old woman lodged in a government-run shelter home near here, who claims to be a Pakistani, even as Pakistan High Commission has sought her details.
The Director Child and Women Welfare has referred the matter to police for verifying the antecedents of Mahammada, who claims that she hails from Mohalla Noorana in Gujarat district of Pakistan.
She has been in the Nari Sewa Sadan at Mashobra since August 10.
"Officials from Pakistan High Commission telephoned me this morning and inquired about the destitute woman, Mahammada, sought details and latest update and also enquired about her well being," Ajay Srivastav, Chairperson of Umang Foundation, who brought the issue into light two days back, said here today.

According to Srivastav, Pakistan High Commission was planning to senda team from New Delhi to Shimla to meet the woman.
Former Minister of Pakistan and human rights activist Ansar Burney, who tried hard to save Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh, has also contacted him and sought information in the matter, Srivastav said.

"After going through the media reports, Ansar Burney contacted me and informed that his organization Ansar Burnet Trust has started a search of her family in Gujarat city of Pakistan and also sought updates from me and also offered all help to Umang Foundation in tracing the roots of the woman", Srivastav said.

Mahammada was medically examined by the Psychiatrist at Indira Gandhi Medical College here at the behest of the government and was referred for further psychological tests at PGI Chandigarh or Central Government's Composite Regional Center for Persons with Disabilities at Sunder Nagar in HP.
On Tuesday, Umang Foundation had urged the government to immediately inquire about the Muslim woman lodged in the Nari Sewa Sadan at Mashobra near here.
She was brought to the Sadan on August 10, 2015, but the Directorate of Women and Child Welfare, HP Government, which run the Shelter Home, did not bother to verify the address as told by the woman and presumed that she belongs to Gujarat in India.