(MENAFN- Muscat Daily) Among the many illegal residents in Oman availing amnesty is a mother of three who spent nearly five years in the sultanate waiting to go home after her husband was deported for a crime.
Her story highlights the other side of the illegal residence issue - the trauma of being an illegal and how difficult survival can become.
Farhat Naseer a woman from Pakistan says she had tough time raising her three sons alone on a small income of RO60 to RO100 from odd jobs like stitching and embellishing dresses.
Farhat could only school her two elder sons Hamza Nasser (15) and Zeeshan (12) with help from social organisations. Wasif the youngest (six) did not get to attend school ever because there was no money.
'We came to Oman 18 years ago. There were no work restrictions then and my husband Mohammed Nasser whose main job was at a gold store also had some other business. He was arrested on charges of violating some agreement and deported.'
Farhat said a helpful Omani family assured her that Mohammed would be back in the country. 'Hence I decided to stay back and not disturb our children's schooling. Also we did not have a place to live in Pakistan.'
She said her subsequent attempts to leave Oman failed. 'I tried several times for an exit as our fines kept piling. Attempts to get a visa to stay on failed as people made false promises took money and never showed up again. I would avoid going out for the fear of being caught.'
Mohammed took up the job of a storekeeper in Dubai a year ago and helped his family. 'But he couldn't afford paying the fine against us. Our family had a total fine of RO2000.'
During the period Farhat and her children were provided shelter by an Omani family. 'The children missed their father and sometimes feared that he had abandoned us.'
While her youngest son never attended school the other two boys had to discontinue last year due to lack of funds. 'Their education till then was looked after by the social club and well wishers from the community.'
Syed Aftab Gillani director of Pakistan Social Club said 'Farhat had approached us earlier for help but we had heard there would be an amnesty and asked her to wait. She contacted us again when it was announced and we cleared her case.'
Gillani said till now seven families have availed amnesty. 'This is a great initiative by the government and we are thankful that the misery for these families can finally end.'
Farhat was very happy before her departure on Tuesday night. 'I will be returning to Pakistan after so many years. I will reunite with my husband. I want to thank the social club and all those who helped us. Living illegally under constant fear with no respect is dreadful.'
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