By paNOW Staff

Appeal hearing grants Pakistani boy Canadian visa

Nov 4, 2014 | 11:09 AM

A four-year-old adopted boy from Pakistan should soon be stepping onto Canadian soil as a permanent resident.

An appeal hearing has granted Ajjab Afridi a sponsorship visa in Canada to live with his adoptive parents Ashfaq and Waheeda in Saskatoon.

“The appeal was allowed and the officer at this time is obligated to process the application so that is very, very good news for our client,” the couple’s lawyer Haidah Amirzadeh told John Gormley Live Tuesday.

Ajjab was born in Pakistan to Waheeda’s sister, who could not care for him. The Afridis, who are Canadian citizens, have been trying to get him permanent residency since 2010. Waheeda stayed with Ajjab through the whole process, mainly living in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Amizadeh spoke with Waheeda Monday, who said it won’t feel real until she and Ajjab get off a plane in Canada.

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Ajjab’s permanent residency application had been denied by the federal government but went before the Immigration Appeal Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.  The decision reached Monday states Ajjab will be granted a visa, granted there are no admissibility issues. Amizadeh does not forsee any issues because he does not have a criminal record and he is healthy.

“The next steps the officer can ask for a medical examination because they are only valid for one year… after that hopefully they will issue the visa,” she said.

Earlier this year, the provincial government signed a letter of no objection and sent it to the federal government. However, Ottawa turned to Saskatchewan for further clarification on their stance regarding adoptions from Pakistan. In July 2013, Ottawa stopped taking adoption applications from Pakistan, something Saskatchewan supported.

Amirzadeh firmly argued it was not relevant because Ajjab was adopted in Pakistan, not Canada, and his adoption application was also submitted prior to July 2013.

“I feel very good,” Amizadeh said.

“I really think that Minister June Draude and Premier Brad Wall should be congratulated. They stepped forward and helped this child.”

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