Pakistani mom from Mumbai won’t leave without her children, claiming their “lives are in danger.”

Mumbai-born Indian citizen Farzana Begum is now battling for custody of her children in Pakistan. She has refused to go back to her home country, claiming that her children’s safety is at risk.

In 2015, Farzana Begum wed Mirza Mubin Elahi, a Pakistani national, in Abu Dhabi.

Subsequently, in 2018, the couple moved to Pakistan; they now have two boys, ages six and seven.

After Farzana reportedly abused her husband over a disagreement over her boys’ custody and certain assets registered in their names, her case came to light.

In response to her husband’s assertions that he had divorced her, Farzana said, “If he has divorced me, then there must be a certificate.”

“A property dispute in Pakistan is endangering the lives of me and my children. My children are going hungry since I am restricted to my home in Rehman Gardens, Lahore,” the woman said.

Refusing to return to her own country without her boys, Farzana pleaded with the Pakistani authorities to protect her until the matter was settled.

“Some properties in Lahore are under my sons’ names.” My children’s and my passports are in the hands of my spouse,” she said.

Mubin Elahi’s second wife is Farzana.

Farzana claims that Elahi is planning to use her Pakistani wife and kids as leverage to force her to return to India and seize assets that she claims are her two boys’.

“Mubin Elahi is spreading false rumours that Farzana’s visa has expired even though her passport is in his possession,” said Farzana’s attorney, advocate Mohsin Abbas.

Since Farzana refuses to leave without her boys and is unsure of the status of her visa, the situation has become the talk of the town.

Farzana said, “I would never go back to India without my sons.”

Elahi has been silent and hasn’t said where he stands on the subject, in contrast to Farzana, who has been outspoken about it.

Farzana also denies her husband’s claim that she tortured him, saying Elahi is fabricating stories to deflect attention from the real problem—which is her sons’ custody and ownership of their assets in Pakistan.

“I am aware that Elahi is holding up the procedure in order to ensure that my visa expires and I am compelled to leave Pakistan. However, I refuse to go without my boys,” Farzana said.