THE CANADIAN PRESS

Nadeem Bhatti (right) held a fundraiser for his friend Saleem Akhtar in Saskatoon, Sask. Photo taken Dec. 9, 2012. Richard Marjan/Postmedia News
The group staged a fundraiser Monday night for Saleem Akhtar, who arrived in Saskatoon this summer from Pakistan but was diagnosed with cancer soon after.
Federal officials refused to provide coverage for parts of his treatment under new rules to prevent abuse of the health-care system, but the province stepped in to provide coverage for his medical needs.
Akhtar is a Christian who fled Pakistan after being shot and threatened by extremists.
He told the fundraiser that despite his illness, all he cares about is bringing his wife and children to Canada.
Event organizer Nadeem Bhatti says the fundraiser will help pay for Akhtar’s living expenses.

LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI Armed with a bicycle and positive message, Mission’s Ken Herar is hoping to connect communities across the Lower Mainland. For the…
Continue Reading »
VANCOUVER DESI A couple believed to be from British Columbia were found slain in their Indian home on May 9, 2013. According to the Times…
Continue Reading »
RIAZ KHAN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Bombs that exploded outside two mosques in a village in northwestern Pakistan killed at least 15 people…
Continue Reading »
LARISSA CAHUTE VANCOUVER DESI Armed with a bicycle and positive message, Mission’s Ken Herar is hoping to connect communities across the Lower Mainland. For the…
Continue Reading »
VANCOUVER DESI A couple believed to be from British Columbia were found slain in their Indian home on May 9, 2013. According to the Times…
Continue Reading »
JACOB ZINN POSTMEDIA NEWS Peter Fassbender may not live in Surrey, but the Langley mayor knows a thing or two about the City of Parks….
Continue Reading »
New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) Sanchita Ajjampur believes she took a “risk” with an “unconventional” ensemble — a “gild web gown” for actress Freida Pinto at…
Continue Reading »
CHONCHUI NGASHANGVA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW DELHI — Indian actor Sanjay Dutt surrendered before a Mumbai court Thursday to begin serving time for a weapons…
Continue Reading »
Film: “The Reluctant Fundamentalist”; Cast: Riz Ahmed, Shabana Azmi, Om Puri, Kate Hudson, Kiefer Sutherland, Liev Schreiber, Martin Donovan, Nelsan Ellis, Imaad Shah, Adil Hussain,…
Continue Reading »
© 2012-2013 Vancouverdesi.com part of Vancouver Province Sites, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.
All Rights Reserved | Privacy Statement | Terms and Conditions | Copyright & Permissions