Islamabad welcomes Canada’s decision to provide fast-track visa to Pakistan students

OTTAWA: Pakistan has welcomed the decision of the Canadian government to include Pakistani international students into the Students Direct Stream (SDS) Program.

Under the program the international students after fulfilling the requirements can get student visa to Canada in 20 days.

It will facilitate Pakistani students who desire to study in Canada, says a press release received here today from Ottawa.

Last year, the Canadian government started this program for students from India, China, Philippines and Vietnam.

Today, Pakistan has been included in the list of countries, under the SDS program by the Canadian Immigration Department.

Raza Bashir Tarar, High Commissioner of Pakistan to Canada appreciated the goodwill gesture of Canadian government and expressed gratitude to the special efforts of immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen and the members of the Canadian Parliament for fulfilling their commitment.

It may be mentioned that the High Commissioner in his meetings with the Canadian officials had urged them to include Pakistani students in the SDS program as academically Pakistani students are second to none.