sponsor for family visit is not member of family

[t_kaay]

Does the sponsor for a family visit visa have to be related to the family?

An English friend and his wife went to Pakistan with us last year and were looked after and accommodated by one of our relatives there for the duration of his stay. The friend would now like to recipricate the hospitality and invite our relative to come to the UK. The relative will be coming mainly to visit family (sister) here but the friend would like him to stay with him during the visit. A family visit visa option is prefered rather than the normal tourist, due to the fact we can appeal if the application is not successful.

Would the ECO have any grounds to object if the sponsor isn't related? All the requirements (finances/accommodation etc) can be met. The sister could act as the sponsor but the friend wants to do it as a show of gratitude I guess.

Your thoughts please.

Thanks

[t_kaay]

any thoughts on this????? sorry to bump it but i need to sort this out in the next week.....thanks guys

[UKBAbble]

My own view is that it would make the ECO very suspicious about the circumstances of the relatives here.

[batleykhan]

I would back up UKBAbble comments and would go as far as saying it will be refused