JAIPUR: The government today said the Indian High Commission in Islamabad would extend all help in facilitating visa for legendary Ghazal singer Mehdi Hassan who is undergoing treatment in Karachi.
The announcement was made by Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed a day after Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot announced medical help to the 84-year-old ailing singer who was put on a ventilator at a private clinic following respiratory problems.
Gehlot yesterday spoke to Hassan's son Asif Mehdi over telephone and said the state government will bear the expense of the singer's treatment and also apprised Ahamed of the discussion.
Ahamed, in a letter to Gehlot, said the High Commission in Islamabad has been in touch with the singer's son, who has informed that it may not be possible to move him from there for the next 4-5 days until his condition stabilises, an official said.
"Once the family is ready to move Hassan to India, they will get in touch with our High Commission in Islamabad for visa formalities," Ahamed wrote.
Hassan was born in Luna village in the Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district.