Swaraj promises to provide visa to ailing Pakistani baby

Published June 2, 2017
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

Iran’s new leader
Updated 10 Mar, 2026

Iran’s new leader

The position is the most powerful in Iran, bringing together clerical authority and political and ideological leadership.
National priorities
10 Mar, 2026

National priorities

EVEN as the country faces heightened risks of attacks from actual terrorists, an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi...
Silenced march
10 Mar, 2026

Silenced march

ON the eve of International Women’s Day, Islamabad Police detained dozens of Aurat March activists who had ...
War & deception
Updated 09 Mar, 2026

War & deception

While there is little doubt that Iran is involved in many of the retaliatory attacks, the facts raise suspicions that another player may be at work.
The witness box
09 Mar, 2026

The witness box

IT is often the fear of the courtroom and what may transpire therein that drives many victims of crime, especially...
Asylum applications
09 Mar, 2026

Asylum applications

BRITAIN’S tough immigration posture has again drawn attention to the sharp rise in asylum claims by Pakistani...