ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s High Commissioner to Canada Raza Bashir Tarar has welcomed inclusion of Pakistanis in the Student Direct Stream by the Canadian government to ensure a faster processing of their visa applications which are now approved in much less time if biometrics and other eligibility requirements are met.

Speaking on a local Canadian radio channel on Sunday, he made it clear that the high commission has no role in the issuance of visas to Pakistani students as that was the sole prerogative of the Canadian government.

He, however, said the mission had requested the Canadian authorities, including the immigration minister, to look into the reported cases of visa rejections and as per interaction with the Canadian interlocutors, it appeared the visa applications were rejected due to incomplete information and there was compelling evidence to back the media reports of any systematic bias against Pakistani students.

The high commissioner advised Pakistani students to fill out their visa applications carefully by including all requisite information and accurately to avoid visa applications from being delayed or rejected for want of accurate information and documentation.

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2020