Australia: Gay man receives temporary halt on deportation to Pakistan
A gay man residing in Brisbane has obtained a temporary visa preventing deportation to Pakistan as the Migration Review Panel (MRT) processes his case.
Ali Choudhry received a bridging visa from the MRT and the immigration department following his appeal against the refusal of his application for a partnership visa.
The formal visa refusal by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison had meant that Mr Choudhry was due to be deported to Pakistan tomorrow.
A spokeswoman for Mr Morrison said: “A bridging visa is granted whilst an application is being processed. At no time was Mr Choudhry in danger of being deported.
“Mr Choudhry is on a bridging visa to ensure he remains lawfully in the community while he has an outstanding matter before the Migration Review Tribunal.”
After receiving the temporary visa, Mr Choudhry told Radio Australia: “The official told us that until MRT makes their decision I’m OK to stay in the country.
“But he was adamant not to give us anything in writing even though we asked him several times.”
He has been in a relationship with Brisbane brain surgeon Dr Hynd for the past four years.
Earlier today, Mr Morrison was sent a petition of more than 122,000 signatures, collected by advocacy organisation Get Up!, to stop the deportation of Mr Choudhry to Pakistan.
