On Diwali, Swaraj promises medical visas for everyone, including Pakistanis
October 19, 2017
Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj announced on Thursday that India will grant medical visas to deserving cases on the auspicious occasion of Diwali including Pakistanis.
She shared on Twitter: “On the auspicious occasion of Deepawali, India will grant medical Visa in all deserving cases pending today. @IndiainPakistan”
On August 29, a newborn Pakistani baby suffering from a cardiac ailment, Rohaan, was issued a medical visa hours after Swaraj announced the Indian government’s intentions to do so on Twitter.
Rohaan’s mother, Mehwish Mukthar, had requested a medical visa for her son on Monday and had said "my child knows no borders".
"My son needs treatment. Why [does] he suffer. Request issuance of urgent medical visa," Mukhtar shared on social media.
"We will give medical visa for his treatment in India," Swaraj said in a tweet on Tuesday after requests poured in from a number of Pakistani citizens on the platform.
News emerged in May, this year, that India has not issued medical visas to Pakistani patients seeking treatment in India since February.
The move made it difficult for Pakistani patients to seek treatment in India, which has affected thousands of Pakistani who suffer from liver, kidney and heart diseases.
