American woman refuses to leave Pakistan despite 'failed love story'

KARACHI: An American woman, who arrived in Karachi for love, refused to return home after her relationship fell apart, causing a scene at the airport, sources told Geo News on Wednesday.

According to airport sources, the woman, identified as Onijah Andrew Robinson, became distraught when her love interest, 19-year-old Nidal Memon from Karachi's Garden area, could not marry her due to his family's refusal.

She had traveled to Pakistan on October 11 after connecting with him on social media.

Her stay in Karachi extended beyond her visa's validity, leaving her stranded. Eventually, an NGO provided financial assistance and a ticket for her return.

However, at Jinnah International Airport, she refused to go back, delaying Qatar Airways flight QR 611 to New York via Doha by 36 minutes, the sources said.

The sources said that she first declined immigration processing and later refused to board the aircraft.

Despite police and the Airport Security Force (ASF) escorting her to the departure lounge, she resisted boarding, citing various excuses. Security protocols prevented authorities from forcing her onto the plane.

After months of struggle in Karachi, Robinson had been handed over to airport police when her visa expired. She was also admitted to the airport emergency clinic due to flu and cold-related issues before her scheduled departure.

After several hours of efforts by authorities to send Robinson back to her homeland, a two-member team from the US Consulate arrived at Karachi Airport and met with airport officials, sources told Geo News.

In a discussion with airport officials, the US Consulate's team said that its aim was to convince Robinson to return home. However, they insisted that they could not force her to leave if she did not want to go.

Later, the police revealed that Robinson refused to seek help from the US Consulate's team to return home and took off on her own in a taxi from the airport to an unknown location.

"I am going to my husband," she told the police at the airport. According to airport authorities, she has a 15-day permit to leave the airport.