Sushma Swaraj helps Pakistani-origin woman get Indian visa on humanitarian grounds

Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj helped a Pakistani-origin woman whose husband needed to get a liver transplant surgery in Chennai.

Shafiqa Bano on October 24 made a request to Swaraj on Twitter to grant her a medical visa for her husband's treatment for liver cirrhosis at Apollo Hospitals.

@SushmaSwaraj Hi, my husband is suffering from liver cirrhosis. Needs a liver transplant at Apollo hospital Chennai. pic.twitter.com/8TVf60Ff3Q

— Mrs.Afzal (@shafiqabano) October 24, 2016

@SushmaSwaraj Indian consulate need approval from home department. If possible please grant the Medical visa, my husband needs the treatment

— Mrs.Afzal (@shafiqabano) October 24, 2016

Owing to the prevailing India-Pak tension, Bano went on to explain her nationality to avoid confusion. She sought Swaraj's help since this would require approval from the Home Department.

@gsbalaji1964 @SushmaSwaraj we are Indonesian citizens, previous nationality pakistan. will seeking treatment At Apollo Hospital in Chennai.

— Mrs.Afzal (@shafiqabano) October 24, 2016

Within two days, Bano received a reply from Swaraj stating that she had directed the Indian Embassy to issue her a visa. It is necessary for Pakistani-origin individuals to get visa clearance from department for visa clearance, but Swaraj made this exception on humanitarian grounds.

Shafiqa ji - Please contact the Indian Embassy. I hv asked them to issue visa for your husband's liver transplant in Chennai. @IndianEmbJkt https://t.co/MgJXam8kE0

— Sushma Swaraj (@SushmaSwaraj) October 26, 2016

Apollo Hospitals, also took notice and assured Bano of her husband's prompt treatment. 

1/2 @shafiqabano @gsbalaji1964 @SushmaSwaraj We have taken note of your query, we are in touch with you and

— Apollo Hospitals (@HospitalsApollo) October 25, 2016

2/2 working hard to get all the details sorted and get your husband here at the earliest for treatment.

— Apollo Hospitals (@HospitalsApollo) October 25, 2016