Gay Brisbane man given temporary halt on deportation

A gay Brisbane man has been given a short-term halt on his deportation to Pakistan where he faces jail time for his sexuality.

Ali Choudhry (L) has won a temporary reprieve from being deported to Pakistan where he could be jailed for his sexuality.

Ali Choudhry was due to be deported tomorrow from Brisbane, where he has been living for the past four years, the ABC reports.

Mr Choudhry and his partner, neuroscientist Dr Matthew Hynd, registered their civil union in March 2012.

But Mr Choudhry's application for a partnership visa was declined by the government, which ruled it did not consider him in "a long-standing relationship".

The couple has lodged an appeal to the decision with the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT).

Mr Choudhry was told this morning he will be allowed to stay in Australia beyond tomorrow’s deadline, the ABC reports.

A petition created in support of the couple was delivered to Immigration Minister Scott Morrions's Sydney office today with more than 120,000 signatures.

Mr Choudhry was born in Pakistan but grew up in the United States.