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

Unsustainable growth
Updated 23 Jun, 2026

Unsustainable growth

CLICHÉS are an essential part of political rhetoric. But when repeated often, they lose their impact. So when...
Banned speeches
23 Jun, 2026

Banned speeches

NATIONAL Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq on Sunday formally lifted long-standing restrictions on the airing of ...
New GB government
23 Jun, 2026

New GB government

WITH the newly elected lawmakers of the Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly taking oath on Monday, the PPP looks set to head...
A costly cut
Updated 22 Jun, 2026

A costly cut

Climate risks are increasing and public investment should reflect that reality.
Guarded access
22 Jun, 2026

Guarded access

ONE of the government’s ‘novel’ proposals to snag tax evaders has collided with some harsh realities. On...
Lyari’s passion
22 Jun, 2026

Lyari’s passion

THE love for football in Lyari knows no bounds. The World Cup might be underway thousands of miles away in North...