Sushma tweets pics of Pak boy, asks parents to identify him

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday posted on Twitter the picture of a hearing and speech impaired Pakistani boy, who strayed into India and was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) in May this year.

She offered to issue visa to any Pakistani couple who could come to India and confirm the identity of the boy as their child.

"There is a juvenile around 12 years old in Faridkot Observation Home. He was apprehended by the BSF in May 2017. We are waiting for Pakistan to confirm his nationality as well," Sushma tweeted.

She reacted to reports in Pakistani media about a hearing and speech impaired boy Hammad Hassan from the neighbouring country being imprisoned in India. The reports were shared on social media.

"My information is that Master Hammad Hassan went missing in 2013. The juvenile with us was apprehended in 2017," she tweeted. "However, if the parents believe that the juvenile we have is their son, we are prepared to give them visa. They may visit India, meet him and confirm for themselves."

"We have a boy in the Observation Home, Faridkot. We are unable to confirm his identity as he cannot speak or hear. Pls see if he is Hammad Hassan or someone you know," she tweeted after posting the picture of the boy.