F.I., a Pakistani national, left his country on 25 November 2015 and arrived illegally in Cyprus through the Turkish-occupied areas on the same day. F.I. applied for international protection on grounds of alleged fear of persecution. He claimed to have left Pakistan for political reasons and danger from the Taliban but he did not specify which party he referred to. Following an interview, his application was rejected by the Asylum Office and he further lodged an administrative complaint with the Refugee Review Authority on grounds of financial difficulties and unstable conditions in his country of origin.

The Refugees Review Authority rejected his complaint and concluded that the investigation was duly and completely conducted in his case by the Asylum Office. F.I. further appealed before the Administrative Court which found that Pakistan was declared a safe country of origin by the Decree of the Minister of the Interior published on 8 May 2020 (K.D. .P. 198/2020) and that his allegations were unproven. Both the Review Authority and the Administrative Court took into consideration the applicant’s statements during his interview where he mentioned he would not face any issues upon return to Pakistan and that he applied for international protection with the aim to remain longer in Cyprus. His appeal was rejected as inadmissible.