
Ditched and betrayed, love-sick US woman refuses to go back home
KARACHI:
"Love is blind" is a phrase spoken by Jessica, a character in William Shakespeare's play 'The Merchant of Venice.' And since then it has been repeated countless of times in romantic affairs.
This phrase perfectly sums up the unrequited love of 33-year-old married American woman Onija Andrew Robbins, who fell for a Pakistani teenager online, left her two children in the States, and flew into Karachi to marry her love - only to be ditched and betrayed by him.
"Call my husband Nidal," Robbins kept saying throughout Wednesday night as she sat in a chair in the parking lot of Ali Arcade apartment building in the Osmanabad area of Karachi. Robbins arrived in Karachi three months ago to be with 19-year-old Nidal Ahmed Memon, a resident of Garden West, claiming that they had already tied the nuptial knot online.
Robbins was offered food by the building management staff and police, but she wouldn't eat anything. "Robbins stared blankly as she sat in the chair appearing unwell with swollen feet and an inhaler in hand," local resident Rafiq Ahmed, who was at a teashop opposite the building, told The Express Tribune. "Call my husband, Nidal," Robbins would repeat after a while.
Police tried to console her, assuring her that efforts were being made to find him. Robbins, who met Nidal while he was working at a call centre in Karachi, stated that their relationship blossomed through phone conversations. She had come to Karachi with the intention of "consummating their marriage" and settle with Nidal in Pakistan. Some residents of Ali Arcade claimed that the woman had been staying at Nidal's apartment for the past three months, but her presence was kept secret from the neighbours.
As news flashed on TV screens, curious onlookers flocked to the building, causing distress to the residents. Police arrived at the scene, asking locals to maintain their distance. Despite repeated requests, Robbins refused to leave the premises, asking for money from the building management and police to leave the place.
According to witnesses, Nidal had fled the apartment on his motorcycle earlier in the day, accidentally hitting another bike in his hurry. Soon after, his family also locked the flat and left, leaving Robbins alone and desperate.
On the orders of the provincial police chief, senior police officer Faiza Soder arrived at the scene with a heavy police contingent. After an hour of negotiations, they decided that Robbins needed to be shifted to a safer location due to security concerns. Just as police were monitoring Robbins, she unexpectedly booked an online taxi and left for an undisclosed location. The police attempted to track her down, but she managed to leave the jurisdiction of the concerned police station.
Before her sudden disappearance, Robbins released a video message, claiming that she had married Nidal online via a website called International Utah. She said that money was not a factor in their relationship. "I have money, and everyone here has money. My only wish is to meet Nidal," she said while expressing her desire to settle in Karachi. However, Robbins was later traced at a guesthouse in Nursery on Sharae Faisal. However, the administration refused to rent her a room. In the meantime, police arrived at the guesthouse, took the American woman into protective custody, and transferred her to a hotel in Saddar.
A day earlier, authorities decided to send her to the US after her three-month visit visa expired. An Airport Security Force (ASF) contingent escorted her to the Karachi airport where she refused to undergo the necessary immigration procedures and later declined to board her flight in the international departure lounge.
Due to security regulations, officials could not forcibly place her on the flight. Her refusal to leave caused a 36-minute delay for Qatar Airways Flight QR 611, but eventually, the aircraft departed without her. Later, a two-member team from the US Consulate arrived at the airport to discuss the situation. They said that Robbins could not be forced onto a flight against her will, as this could lead to legal complications.
With Robbins now ditched, betrayed, and abandoned, and Nidal and his family in hiding, the fate of this love story remains uncertain. What began as a tale of intercontinental romance highlights the complexities of love, cultural differences, and unexpected consequences of online relationships.
Meanwhile, the Chhipa Foundation has announced that the foundation's chief, Ramzan Chhipa, along with the US lady, will address a press conference at 10am, at the head office on Friday.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
India, ISKP and BLA: Pakistan's multi-front security challenge
The writer is a public policy analyst based in Lahore. She can be reached at durdananajam1@ Listen to article In recent years, Pakistan has grappled with an evolving security landscape marked by a resurgence of terrorism and foreign interference. From the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) to the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), and with India's Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) allegedly backing these elements, the threats are no longer isolated. They form part of a broader, transnational effort to undermine Pakistan's internal cohesion, divert its strategic focus and erode its sovereignty. At the heart of these challenges lies a sophisticated matrix of proxy warfare, disinformation campaigns and ideological subversion, designed to weaken Pakistan's state apparatus and inflame ethnic and sectarian divisions. Pakistan's commitment to countering terrorism has been evident in recent counter-intelligence successes. The arrest of an ISKP recruiter in coordination with Turkey's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) signals a proactive approach to dismantling terror networks. However, gains like these are frequently offset by persistent external interference. RAW's support to insurgent groups such as the BLA and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) reportedly extends beyond financial and logistical assistance. It includes strategic disinformation campaigns aimed at fostering mistrust within Pakistani society and delegitimising state institutions. By exploiting regional grievances — particularly in Balochistan and former tribal areas — these actors seek to provoke unrest and delegitimise constitutional authority. Such asymmetric tactics are not unique, but the scale and precision of their execution suggest a long-term strategy to destabilise Pakistan from within. The manipulation of nationalist sentiments and radical religious narratives is central to this objective, positioning Pakistan as a battleground for ideological and geopolitical contests. While ideological differences exist between groups like ISKP and BLA, they converge on one objective: undermining the Pakistani state. Rivalries between such factions may occasionally result in infighting, but their collective impact remains deeply destabilising. These groups exploit porous borders, weak governance in remote regions and access to digital platforms to sustain their operations. The fragmentation of these networks does not reduce the threat; instead, it signals a dangerous adaptability. Their volatility, combined with the external backing they receive, fuels a cycle of violence with repercussions far beyond Pakistan's borders. The result is not only domestic insecurity but also a regional spillover — disrupted trade routes, refugee inflows and diminished prospects for regional cooperation. The persistence of such conditions limits Pakistan's ability to assert itself diplomatically and economically within South Asia. Pakistan faces an existential threat, not merely through armed incursions or terrorist attacks but through strategic hybrid warfare. The tools of this conflict are disinformation, cyber subversion and proxy militancy — each aimed at fragmenting Pakistan's national identity and weakening its institutions. This multi-pronged approach serves broader geopolitical aims: to contain Pakistan's strategic outreach, curtail its role in regional diplomacy and deter foreign investment. The cost is not only economic — it is societal, institutional and psychological. A state that must perpetually defend its legitimacy at home finds it difficult to project influence abroad. Addressing these complex challenges requires more than tactical responses. While intelligence coordination and counter-terrorism operations remain crucial, the broader strategy must be structural, long-term and rooted in resilience. First, Pakistan must continue to modernise its security and intelligence infrastructure. This includes enhanced cyber surveillance, predictive analytics and robust counter-disinformation architecture. Investment in these capabilities would strengthen the state's ability to detect, deter and disrupt both internal threats and foreign interference. Second, a sustained policy of regional engagement is essential. While strategic competition with India may persist, Pakistan must continue building alliances with regional actors — particularly those with shared concerns about terrorism and cyber threats. Intelligence sharing, joint operations and diplomatic convergence, such as seen with Turkey and China, offer a pathway to collective security. Third, internal consolidation is paramount. Socio-economic disparities, especially in regions like Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, continue to serve as recruitment grounds for extremist groups. Development, however, must be matched with political inclusion, institutional reform and restoration of state legitimacy through accountable governance. Lastly, the narrative domain must not be ceded. Pakistan must invest in strategic communication — amplifying voices of national unity, countering propaganda and promoting critical media literacy. Civil society, academic institutions and religious leaders all have roles to play in rebuilding a national consensus rooted in pluralism and constitutionalism. Pakistan's security dilemma is no longer confined to its borders. The instability it faces is both a consequence and a driver of wider regional volatility. If left unaddressed, the current trajectory could precipitate broader strategic disorder across South Asia. By consolidating internal strength, refining external partnerships and investing in long-term social resilience, Pakistan can reposition itself not merely as a state under siege but as a proactive agent of regional stability — one that places sovereignty at the centre, balances coercive capability with socio-political outreach and embeds national security within a framework of regional cooperation.


Express Tribune
4 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pope Leo XIV wears White Sox hat at Vatican in viral moment
Pope Leo XIV publicly displayed his South Side baseball loyalty on Wednesday by wearing a Chicago White Sox cap during a general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. Captured on June 11, 2025, the pontiff greeted newlywed couples while proudly sporting the team's black and white cap. Speculation over his baseball fandom had circulated since his election, but his brother John Prevost settled the debate early on: 'Whoever said Cubs on the radio got it wrong. It's Sox.' The White Sox organization quickly embraced the pope's display of fandom, tweeting: The team also unveiled a mural at Guaranteed Rate Field depicting the pope at Game 2 of the 2005 World Series—an image fans claimed to have spotted in archived footage. The Archdiocese of Chicago will host a public celebration of Pope Leo XIV this Saturday at Rate Field, with limited tickets available online. The moment sparked a viral response across social media, with fans sharing memes, commentary, and praise for the pontiff's South Side pride. Pope Leo XIV wearing a Sox hat during his weekly general audience at the Vatican (h/t @CatholicCassie) — Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) June 11, 2025 Only a White Sox fan could understand the suffering of Jesus — B(urger W)itch (@em_Seq) June 11, 2025 This is so surreal. An American pope who loves his baseball — Jake Hatch (Yawk) Utah Mammoth Aficionado (@JacobCHatch) June 11, 2025 The White Sox now have God on their side. All they need is anime and they will be champions again — Branden Marotta (@brmarotta_) June 11, 2025 From memes to local pride, the internet embraced Pope Leo XIV as not just the head of the Catholic Church—but an honorary symbol of White Sox Nation.


Express Tribune
6 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Brian Wilson, beach boys co-founder and frontman, passes away at 82
Brian Wilson, the legendary co-founder and frontman of the iconic American rock band The Beach Boys, has passed away at 82. His family confirmed the news on June 11 through an Instagram post, sharing their grief with the world. A photo of the smiling musician on a bench accompanied the statement: "We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away. We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. Love & Mercy." Wilson, born on June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, was the eldest of three siblings, with brothers Dennis and Carl Wilson. He was known for his exceptional musical talent from a young age, which led to the formation of The Beach Boys in 1961. Initially named the Pendletones, Wilson and his brothers, along with cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine, began their musical journey with hits like "Surfin' U.S.A." and "Surfin' Safari." Wilson was the primary songwriter, co-lead vocalist, and bass guitarist for the band. He helped define the "California sound," with hits like 'Good Vibrations' and the 1966 album Pet Sounds. His visionary approach to music marked a departure from the band's surf-centric themes, establishing his influence on modern pop and rock. Despite his musical success, Wilson struggled with mental health issues, including depression and the pressures of fame. He faced personal challenges, including a difficult relationship with his father, which later led to hearing loss in his right ear. In the 1970s, he retreated from public life, battling drugs, alcohol, and emotional distress. Wilson's comeback began in the 1980s with therapy and a revitalization of his career. He released several solo albums, including Brian Wilson Presents Smile in 2004, a project he had initially abandoned with The Beach Boys in the 1960s. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including Grammy nominations, two wins for his solo work, and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. Wilson leaves behind a legacy that shaped the landscape of American music. He is survived by his children from two marriages and his extended family.