Islamabad: Fresh controversy has erupted in Pakistan after a video surfaced showing an Indian Sikh woman, identified as Sarabjit Kaur from Bharti Jatt, claiming she willingly converted to Islam and married a Pakistani man, Nasir Hussain of Shahupura. The case has triggered serious concerns over the alleged involvement of Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the ISI, in using religious conversions and cross-border marriages as propaganda tools aimed at polishing Pakistan’s global image while masking its record of minority persecution.
In the video, a Pakistani reporter states that Sarabjit Kaur accepted Islam on the occasion of Guru Nanak Jayanti before marrying Nasir Hussain and subsequently receiving Pakistani nationality. The woman, now reportedly called Noor Fatima, is heard saying that she came to Pakistan “of her own free will” and that she is “very happy” in the country.
Watch the video here:
Critics, however, argue that the carefully staged media appearance bears the hallmarks of an orchestrated narrative designed by Pakistan’s security establishment. Analysts say the ISI has repeatedly used highly publicised conversion and marriage stories involving Sikh and Hindu women to project a false image of religious harmony, despite mounting international scrutiny over forced conversions, intimidation of minorities and extremist influence inside Pakistan.
Human rights observers have long accused Pakistan of systematically targeting Sikh, Hindu and Christian minorities through coercion, abductions and pressure conversions, particularly in Sindh and Punjab provinces. The latest case is being viewed by many as another attempt by the Pakistani deep state to exploit religious symbolism and emotional narratives for political and intelligence objectives.
Security experts note that granting fast-track Pakistani nationality immediately after the conversion and marriage has intensified suspicions regarding state involvement. Critics say the Pakistani establishment appears eager to weaponise such cases to create anti-India propaganda while diverting attention from Pakistan’s deteriorating human rights record and repeated allegations of ISI-backed radicalisation activities.
The incident has also sparked outrage among sections of the Sikh community, with many questioning why Pakistan selectively amplifies such stories while failing to protect its own shrinking minority population from violence, forced conversions and desecration of religious sites.
