Failed love story: American woman returns home after spending nearly four months in Pakistan

• Onijah Andrew Robinson arrived in Karachi on Oct 11, 2024.
• Despite her visa expiring on Nov 10, she refused to return home.
• Authorities issued 15-day exit permit to Robinson on Jan 27, 2025. 
  

KARACHI: An American woman, Onijah Andrew Robinson, who traveled to Pakistan in pursuit of love, finally flew back to the United States on Friday after spending several months in Karachi.

The 33-year-old arrived in Karachi on October 11, 2024, after falling in love with a 19-year-old, Nidal Ahmed Memon. However, under family pressure, Memon refused to marry her, leaving Robinson stranded in the port city.

Despite her visa expiring on November 10, she refused to return to the US and remained in Karachi. In mid-January, she attempted to enter Karachi airport, but Airport Security Force (ASF) officials handed her over to the police.

According to the police, authorities issued an exit permit to Robinson, valid for 15 days, on January 27 after the intervention of the Sindh governor. Meanwhile, a welfare organisation arranged an air ticket for her.

However, after receiving clearance from airport staff, she abruptly changed her mind and refused to board the flight, accusing airline staff of forcing her to leave the country.

She then went to the residence of an alleged friend in Karachi’s Garden area and camped outside his house for several days until a welfare organisation provided her with shelter. She also spent some time in Jinnah Hospital’s psychiatric ward after her health deteriorated.

On Friday evening, a five-member medical board declared her fit for travel and discharged her from the hospital. Under police security, she was taken directly to the airport.

She finally agreed to return to the US after being persuaded by staff from the US Consulate in Karachi, who visited the hospital to check on her condition and arranged her ticket.