Sushma Swaraj helps Pakistani-origin woman get Indian visa on humanitarian grounds
Shafiqa Bano, a Pakistani-origin Indonesian woman needed an Indian visa for her husband's surgery in Chennai. Sushma Swaraj helped her 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.
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.
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.
Apollo Hospitals, also took notice and assured Bano of her husband's prompt treatment.