ISLAMABAD: Anxiety among 30 Pakistani doctors who want to attend a conference related to liver diseases in India is increasing as New Delhi has so far not issued visas to them. After getting visas the doctors will apply for NOCs from their respective organisations and that process will also take some time.

The doctors willing to participate in the conference which is being organised by the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL) say that it will provide them an opportunity to understand the Indian medical system and make them able to guide Pakistani patients who want to travel India for liver transplantation.

According to APASL’s website, the conference will be held from March 14 to 18 in New Delhi. There is only one weekly flight from Lahore to New Delhi and the last one before the conference is scheduled for March 14.

According to these doctors, the conference will have high quality content with up-to-date information by eminent researchers and clinicians, covering all aspects of hepatology (a branch of medicine that incorporates the study of liver).

An official of the Indian High Commission told Dawn that because of the tension in relations between the two countries the process of security clearance for the issuance of visas for Pakistanis was taking more than usual time these days. However, he added, a reminder would be sent to New Delhi for expediting the cases of Pakistani doctors.

Avinash Singh, spokesperson for Indian High Commission, said in a written reply that the visa applications were under process.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2018