Sunday, December 14, 2025
ADVT 
Interesting

Pak's 'Solar Kids': After Sunset, They Are Paralyzed, Normal During Day

Darpan News Desk IANS, 06 May, 2016 12:50 PM
    The two brothers have come to be known as the "solar kids" and their case has mystified Pakistani doctors.
     
    Aged nine and 13, the boys are normal active children during the day. But once the sun goes down, they both lapse into a vegetative state - unable to move or talk.
     
    Javed Akram, a professor of medicine at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, told the press on Thursday that he had no idea what was causing the symptoms.
     
    "We took this case as a challenge. Our doctors are doing medical tests to determine why these kids remain active in the day but cannot open their eyes, why they cannot talk or eat when sun goes down," he said, as he visited the pair at his hospital.
     
    Akram said the government was providing free medical care to the siblings, who come from an impoverished family.
     
    The brothers are undergoing extensive medical testing in the capital, Islamabad, and samples of their blood have been sent to overseas specialists for further examination, he said. Researchers are also collecting soil and air samples from the family's home village.
     
     
    Mohammad Hashim, the father of the two brothers, comes from a village near Quetta, the capital of southwestern Baluchistan province. He and his wife are first cousins and two of their six children died at an early age. Their other two children have not displayed any unusual symptoms.
     
    His simple theory: "I think my sons get energy from sun."
     
    But doctors have already dismissed the idea that sunlight plays a role, noting that the boys can move during the day even when kept in a dark room or during a rainstorm.
     
    During the day, 13-year old Shoaib Ahmed and his brother Abdul Rashid did indeed seem normally active, energetic and cheerful as they emerged from their hospital room on Friday and walked to a nearby canteen to have tea.
     
    "I will become a teacher," Shoaib Ahmed told, while his younger brother said he wants to be an Islamic scholar.

    MORE Interesting ARTICLES

    British Principal Tells Parents: Stop Doing School Run In Pyjamas And Slippers

    British Principal Tells Parents: Stop Doing School Run In Pyjamas And Slippers
    The principal of a primary school in northern England wants to impose a dress code — not on students, but on their parents.

    British Principal Tells Parents: Stop Doing School Run In Pyjamas And Slippers

    The ARC Will Make a Lasting Impression on the City

    The ARC Will Make a Lasting Impression on the City
    The iconic condominium project will have a distinct downtown flavour coupled with an architectural design that hasn't been seen before.

    The ARC Will Make a Lasting Impression on the City

    Indian-Led Scientists' Team Discover Why Comet Appears Black

    Indian-Led Scientists' Team Discover Why Comet Appears Black
    A study by an international team from Europe and the US led by an Indian planetary scientist has resolved one of the mysteries that baffled astronomers.

    Indian-Led Scientists' Team Discover Why Comet Appears Black

    Selfies Reveal If You Are Going Through Romantic Crisis

    Are you going through a rocky and failed romantic relationship? Check if you have suddenly started uploading more selfies on the social media.

    Selfies Reveal If You Are Going Through Romantic Crisis

    'Scotch Whisky The Best Gift A Man Can Get'

    'Scotch Whisky The Best Gift A Man Can Get'
    Growing up, the strongest memory that I have when I think of parties, or a celebration, is my father pulling out a bottle of whisky, a Scotch whisky, for his friends

    'Scotch Whisky The Best Gift A Man Can Get'

    'Ready To Retire?' Book By Lyndsay Green Looks At Retirement Issues Facing Men

    'Ready To Retire?' Book By Lyndsay Green Looks At Retirement Issues Facing Men
    Many issues surrounding retirement are universal, but there are some that are unique to men, says sociologist Lyndsay Green.

    'Ready To Retire?' Book By Lyndsay Green Looks At Retirement Issues Facing Men