Swaraj promises to provide visa to ailing Pakistani baby

Published
184
India’s Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj — File
India’s Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj — File

HYDERABAD: Tensions between India and Pakistan may be escalating but that has not stopped India’s Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj from helping a Pakistani bring his two-and-a-half-year-old baby to India for treatment.

Ken Sid, a Pakistani national, reached out to Ms Swaraj for a medical visa as his son has a heart complication which could not be treated in Pakistan.

“He is my son. He does not even know what is happening between India and Pakistan,” Ken tweeted to drive home the point that an innocent child should not be deprived of treatment.

On Thursday, Ms Swaraj reacted to the plea and said: “No, This child will not suffer. Please contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa.”

“It is heartening to see humanity prevailing despite many differences. Thank you for your efforts. Humanity prevails! God bless everyone,” the child’s father tweeted after a large number of Indians urged the minister to consider his plea.

By arrangement with the Times of India

Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Fixing bond markets
01 Oct, 2026

Fixing bond markets

THE plan to deepen the domestic local currency bond market by allowing the public to trade government securities...
Call centre rackets
01 Oct, 2026

Call centre rackets

A NUMBER of recent raids conducted by the authorities in different cities point to the growing threat fraudulent ...
Homeward bound
01 Oct, 2026

Homeward bound

FIVE months after Somali pirates captured an oil tanker carrying a 19-member multinational crew, Somali maritime...
Kashmir unresolved
Updated 30 Sep, 2026

Kashmir unresolved

The just solution lies in India addressing the issue through a trilateral dialogue involving the legitimate representatives of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Water shortage
30 Sep, 2026

Water shortage

THAT the country is entering the Rabi season with an anticipated water shortage of nearly 25pc, the lowest carryover...
Young hearts
30 Sep, 2026

Young hearts

THE observance may have passed, but the message of World Heart Day should not fade with it. The occasion is a useful...