Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori has urged people not to make memes or mock an American woman, Onijah Robinson, who has been in Karachi since October, reportedly in search of her alleged lover. Tessori called for empathy and understanding, urging the public to avoid making light of her situation.
Tessori said, “I ask the people of Pakistan not to make memes or make fun of this situation, as it is not something that should be mocked. God would not like it.” He further acknowledged that his own earlier remarks, made in a lighthearted manner, were inappropriate. “I said something in a fun way that I should not have said. It was a comment I regret making,” he admitted.
Robinson, a 33-year-old American citizen, traveled to Karachi in October to meet a 19-year-old boy she had met online. However, after the boy allegedly abandoned her due to his family’s disapproval of their relationship, Robinson found herself stranded in the city. Reports state that Robinson had left her family in the U.S. to be with the boy. The case gained widespread attention when Zaffar Abbas, founder of the Jafriya Disaster Management Cell Welfare Organisation, shared her story on social media.
In response to the situation, Tessori intervened to extend Robinson’s expired visa and arranged for her return flight. Despite these efforts, Robinson reportedly refused to return to the U.S. and instead stayed at various locations, including a Memon apartment complex parking lot and later a Chhipa charity shelter, where she is expected to remain until her eventual return home.
Earlier this week, social worker Ramzan Chhipa revealed that Robinson’s mental state appeared to be deteriorating, as she seemed confused and expressed different thoughts every few minutes. It remains unclear if Robinson and the boy are married, as she has claimed. During a press conference on January 31, she mentioned needing $100,000 to “fix up the country.”
Governor Tessori confirmed that he had arranged a return ticket for Robinson and extended her visa by 15 days. He expressed concern about the public’s “witticism” surrounding the situation, saying, “We should not make fun of her if she is facing psychological challenges. As Pakistanis and Muslims, our religion teaches us to treat non-Muslims like family, and we hope she safely returns to the U.S.”
