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Left to right: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Mehak Anwar. Image Credit: Gulf News Archives and Twitter

Dubai: A cancer-stricken patient in Karachi, Pakistan, got a new lease of life when Prime Minister Imran Khan decided to step in and direct authorities to take necessary action for her treatment.

Mehak Anwar, a 16-year-old table tennis player, has been battling cancer for a few months now. She has been undergoing treatment at the Aga Khan University Hospital in Karachi, according to a report published in The Express Tribune, a Pakistan-based English newspaper.

However, in a tweet, the country’s Federal Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry wrote in Urdu: “As prime minister, Imran Khan’s first notice: Arrangements need to be made for the treatment of this child suffering from cancer.”

He also shared a video clip from a previously conducted interview by Aaj News, a Pakistani news television channel, wherein Anwar’s father is heard appealing to the prime minister for his daughter’s treatment.

He is heard saying: “It is my request to Prime Minister Imran Khan that he helps in saving my daughter’s life.”

As the story unfolded, tweeps praised Khan for focusing on the teenager, whose family seems to be unable to pay for her treatment.

Tweep @DaPakiGuy wrote: “I hope the Almighty blesses Mehak with good health. And also grants Imran Khan more opportunities to help his people in this manner.”

@ilyas52f tweeted: “@ImranKhanPTI thank you for giving us hope regarding the treatment of table tennis player Mehak Anwar.”

Tweep @lalaland_75 posted: “We love you Imran Khan, may Allah bless you always and make you stronger day by day, to serve us better and forever!”

Khan also happens to be the founder of the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, which provides free-of-cost care and treatment to thousands of cancer patients in the country. It is a charitable institute and is funded predominantly from donations.

@vkamani1 tweeted: “We pray to Almighty Allah for speedy recovery of our Mehak Anwar.”

Tweep @adnanhayee01 added: “Very happy on Prime Minister Imran Khan’s notice and beginning. But, the system should become so strong that no prime minister, chief minister or anyone has to take notice, things should take their course. Good gesture, though.”