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Pakistani Hassan Asif Dies In Melbourne, His Family A 'Constant And Loving Presence'

Hassan Asif Dies With Family At Bedside In Melbourne
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A terminally ill Pakistani student who fought the Australian government to allow his family to be by his side has passed away in Melbourne.

Hassan Asif, 25, moved to the Victorian capital from Pakistan in 2014 on a student visa before being diagnosed with terminal cancer in April, according to the ABC.

Asif appealed to the Immigration Department to let his mother and brother make the journey to Australia to be by his side in his final days, but the application was initially denied.

A cancer-stricken Pakistani student who pleaded to see his mother & brother has died in a Melbourne hospital: https://t.co/m0yxIJeNjH#9News

— Nine News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) January 6, 2016

After a groundswell of criticism, the decision was later overturned by the Australian High Commission and his family arrived on December 29 on visitor visas.

On Wednesday, Melbourne City Mission confirmed Asif had died with his brother and mother close by.

"Rameez Asif advised that his brother Hassan died at a Melbourne hospice this morning," Melbourne City Mission spokesman Brett Long said.

"Both Rameez and his mother were with Hassan when he passed, and had been a constant and loving presence by his side since arriving in Australia from Pakistan."

Hassan's brother Rameez said he grateful for the chance to be with Hassan in his final days.

"It was like a dream come true to be with Hassan," Rameez said.

"We literally lost hope when our visas got rejected but we still made it to Australia. I have no words to describe how happy we were to be with Hassan. My brother got the best possible care."

A funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Preston mosque.

Community members planning to attend are advised that the dress code in the mosque is modest attire.

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