Pakistani student Hassan Asif dies at Melbourne hospice

Hassan Asif, 25, a Pakistani youth who came to Australia as a student, died at a Melbourne hospice on Wednesday morning. He passed away surrounded by family members. Asif was reunited with his mother and brother only a few days earlier after the Australian government recalled its decision to deny them visas following huge pressure from the public.

Asif, who was diagnosed with skin cancer, was cared for by the Melbourne City Mission youth homelessness refuge. Immigration Minister Peter Dutton justified the initial decision of the government to deny visas to Asif’s family members by citing the issues surrounding the cost of visa overstayers. He said the initial decision on the visa was appropriate in respect to the initial application made. However, a public outcry led him to reconsider the decision and urged Asif’s family members to reapply for the visa.

Asif’s brother, Rameez, expressed gratitude on behalf of his mother and the family for the care Asif received in the Melbourne city and also for the opportunity to meet Asif for one last time.

"It was like a dream come true to be with Hassan. We literally lost hope when our visas got rejected but we still made it to Australia," he said. "I have no words to describe how happy we were to be with Hassan. My brother got the best possible care. Thank you." The Melbourne City Mission released a formal statement saying that Asif’s family was present by his side since they arrived in Melbourne on Dec. 29.

In April last year, Asif was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma. He was studying architecture at Victoria University at the time.

The Guardian reported that a funeral service for Asif has been arranged by his family at the Preston mosque on Thursday. The family invited community members to pay their last tribute to Asif at the funeral.