Summary US authorities have also rejected Pakistani consulate's request for visa extension.
MINNEAPOLIS (Dunya News) - Pakistani exchange student -- fighting for his life in coma at a US hospital -- is being sent home as his visa expiration date is fast approaching. Pakistan Consulate’s request for visa extension on humanitarian ground has also been rejected.
Shahzeb Bajwa who hails from Faisalabad has been studying in US as exchange student and was critically injured in a car crash on November 13, 2013. Shahzeb was reportedly talking when taken to hospital but then chocked on blood which caused a heart attack and severe brain unresponsiveness.
Shahzeb has been comatose for three months and doctors treating him are reportedly unable to predict the time of recovery.
Pakistan exchange student’s visa is due to expire on February 28 due to which the hospital is insisting to send him home for the continuation of treatment saying the visa extension will not be possible.
Addressing media, Shahzeb’s brother Shahraiz Bajwa said that hospital administration are making them sign the discharge papers but the family is reluctant because of lack of facilities available back home and the impact a 24-hour flight can have on Shahzeb’s health.
Associated Press (AP) has quoted Shahzeb’s brother saying:
"If we take him back to Pakistan this is certainly pushing him toward death, we don t want him to die in a miserable condition in a third-world country. It s better if he stays here."
According to Dunya News reports, US authorities have rejected the request of Pakistani consulate in Chicago for an extension of the visa on humanitarian grounds. The US foreign office is reportedly making the travel arrangement for the coma patient.
Pakistan foreign office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam has said that Pakistani consulate is doing everything it can to facilitate Shahzeb’s treatment.
