Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Visas approved for dying man's family

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has confirmed visas for the family of a dying student have now been approved.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton
Immigration Minister Peter Dutton says visas for the family of a dying student have been approved. (AAP)

Visas for the family of a dying Pakistani student in Australia have been approved.

Hassan Asif, a 25-year-old Pakistani man who came to Australia on a student visa, has been told he has just weeks to live.

His mother and brother were initially refused visas to visit him.

"I'd asked the post in Islamabad to have a look at the case, to ask for additional information. That's happened and the visas have been approved," Immigration Minister Peter Dutton told Sky News on Wednesday, less than half an hour after facing the media on the matter.

"I'm hopeful that they can arrive in Australia soon and spend some time with their terminally ill son and brother.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

"I think that's what most Australians would expect."

Earlier Mr Dutton said it was the "right decision" to initially refuse the visas based on the information that was provided.

"I think with further information and a subsequent application I think (it) can be dealt with fairly quickly," he told reporters in Brisbane.

He said the "decision-maker" had to weigh up whether or not somebody coming to Australia was likely to make a claim for protection or stay at a cost to the taxpayer.

Labor had called on Mr Dutton to overturn the visa decision, with immigration spokesman Richard Marles describing it as "disgraceful and heartless".


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world