Azad Jammu Kashmir: UK Border Agency validates AJK Nikkah Namas

Local Friday, January 8th, 2010

UK Border Agency has announced Nikkah Khuwani and Nikkah Nama forms from Azad Jammu & Kashmir submitted with marriage visa applications will be accepted as evidence of a marriage for the purposes of UK visa application.

With a complaint lodged by UK-based Association of Pakistani Lawyers (APL), the British Home Office has reconsidered the issue of – block refusals of spouse visas from AJK – which will allow spouses to join their husbands/wives in Britain.

A statement released by Agency said; The UK Border Agency operation at the British High Commission in Islamabad conducts robust checks on visa applications. These checks are not specific to Pakistan and the UK Border Agency has a duty to remain vigilant to guard against the risk of false documents being submitted with visa applications.

UK Border Agency has checked the validity of new Nikkah Khuwani certificates now being issued in AJK with the regional Ministry of Religious Affairs. It was right that the Agency took the time to check the validity and features of the new document.

UK Border Agency can confirm that these checks have now been made and that genuine Nikkah Khuwani and Nikkah Nama forms from AJK submitted with marriage visa applications will be accepted as evidence of marriage for the purposes of a UK visa application.

Visa applicants who have previously submitted the new Nikkah Khuwani forms and were refused solely on the basis of the validity of marriage certificate should submit an appeal to the UK Border Agency in London directly.

The UK applicants have been directed to submit their appeal to: UKVisa Section, 7th Floor Apollo House, Croydon CR9 3RR. The announcement said on receipt of this appeal their applications will be re-considered.

Last month, APL wrote to British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and Home Secretary Alan Johnson and expressed their deep concern at the refusals of spouse visas for the applicant who has contracted a valid marriage in AJK under the law of the land.

The APL Chair Barrister Amjad Malik has welcomed the decision of the UK Border Agency and appreciated the support and help rendered by Pakistani High Commissioner Wajid Shams ul Hasan, Pakistani media, and the noted British Parliamentarian Lord Nazir Ahmed.

Short URL: http://www.daily.pk/?p=14309