New Delhi, July 24: Considering the emotions generated by Pakistani girl Noor Fatima, who underwent a successful heart surgery in Bangalore, India today announced to fully fund the travel, stay and medical treatment of 20 Pakistani children as a special gesture. It also decided to facilitate visa requirement for children from that country coming to India for treatment.

This was conveyed by external affairs minister Yashwant Sinha when Pakistan's new high commissioner Aziz Ahmed Khan made a "courtesy" call on him in south block.

Sinha said government's decision came after taking into account the popular response in India to the Noor Fatima case. He said details would be worked out through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

The minister underpinned the need for Pakistan to cooperate with it in dealing with the problem of terrorism hoped it would make necessary effort to prevent these terrorists from derailing the present peace process.
Bureau Report