Pakistani infant gets visa to undergo treatment in India after father tweets Sushma Swaraj

Pakistani national Ken Sid's appeal was supported by scores of Indians on social media.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Friday issued visas to an ailing Pakistani infant and his family for an emergency heart treatment.

Pakistani national Ken Sid had made a desperate appeal to Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on social media last week to allow his three-month-old son Roohan to be treated in India for heart ailment. Ms. Swaraj responded by promising to issue the visa, saying “a child should not suffer.”

 

The family were trying to get a visa for weeks. “He does not even know what is happening between India and Pakistan,” Ken had tweeted while making an appeal to Ms. Swaraj.

Ken’s appeal was supported by scores of Indians on social media. “No, This child will not suffer. Please contact Indian High Commission in Pakistan. We will give the medical visa,” Ms. Swaraj tweeted to Ken on May 31 following which the Indian High Commission issued the visas.

“It is heartening to see humanity prevailing despite many differences. Thank you for your efforts. Humanity prevails! God bless everyone,” Ken tweeted after he got the visa. He even went on to post a thank you message on behalf of his son. “I thank you all specially those who helped me to get through this process. Your prayers are always needed. God bless you all. Roohan Ken Sid,” he tweeted on Friday.

Pakistanis frequently travel to India for medical treatment due to lack of health facilities and quality medical treatment in their country.

In 2015, five-year-old Basma from Pakistan was treated for an emergency liver transplant surgery in India.