A FATHER who fled persecution in Pakistan with his family has told of his fears for their lives if they are sent back.
Maqsood Bakhsh fled Faisalbad six years ago with his wife Parveen and two teenage sons Somer and Areeb after suffering persecution as a Christian.
They have been refused refugee status and are threatened with eviction by the private firm Serco that manages accommodation for the Home Office.
The family met with UK Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, who spoke to several asylum-seeking families at Possilpark Parish Church.
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Mr Bakhsh, a data analyst and whose wife Parveen is a midwife, but unable to work in the UK, told what it is like living in Glasgow not knowing what the future holds.
He said: “The most secure place for my children is Scotland. We have had a good experience here.
However, he added: “Since I was refused again in April I couldn’t sleep and had stress.
“We are in fear that somebody from the Home Office will pick us up when we go outside. Our life is safe here but the uncertainty is the man stress. If they throw us back there it will be dangerous for my family.”
He told of what happened to other members of his family.
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He said: “My uncle left for the USA and after 17 years he went back. He was followed by a religious extremist who killed him in his home. This is my fear for me and my family.”
He said his nephew had also been kidnapped.
The family left Pakistan after two Christians were shot dead while in Police custody, accused of writing a pamphlet critical of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
His two sons Somer, 15, and Areeb, 13 attend Springburn Academy where both are said to be excelling.
Somer, said: “I like the people here. I love everything about it. I feel Scottish. When my friends heard about this they were all really supportive. They want to help.”
His younger brother Areeb, who has ambitions to go to university and study astronomy, is worried about his education if he is forced to move to Pakistan, which he said he does not remember.
He said: “We don’t know Pakistan and don’t know the language but we would have to go to school there.”
The family are regular attenders at Possilpark Parish Church where minister Linda Pollock and the congregation offers support.
Rev Pollock said: “The family have lived here for six years. The boys have been told they are refused leave to remain and not to bother with an appeal. They are part of us, they belong to us and we belong to them. We are enriched because of their presence in our community.”
Mr Corbyn also met with 15 year-old, Ansika who came to Scotland from Mauritius with her mother. In a strange circumstance her mother has leave to remain but her Aniska does not.
She told how her father and brother were in an accident and she was unable to go back to visit the. Her father later died leaving her with no parent in Mauritius if she was to be sent there.
She said: We sent them (the Home Office) the original death certificate of my dad but they didn’t accept it.”
Mr Corbyn also met 10-year orphan asylum seeker Giorgi Kakava and his grandmother Ketino Baikhadze from Springburn, who, following a campaign led by Rev Brian Casey of Springburn Parish Church have been granted permission to stay in the UK for 30 months.
Giorgi’s mum Sophie, died before her asylum application was completed and Ketino had already been refused.
Vietnamese Asylum seeker Duc Nguyen was also present at the meeting who also faces being locked out of his home.
Paul Sweeney, Glasgow North East Labour MP, said: “Duc was illegally trafficked to the UK but then detained by the Home Office against their own guidelines. Then Serco tried to evict him.”
Mr Corbyn heard the families stories in a visit to the church that lasted more then three hours.
He said: “What a crying shame and a waste.
“Two parents in this country who are able, intelligent and very well qualified.
“They should be working in our public services or the private sector and able to contribute to our society which is what they want to do.
“I urge the Home Secretary to stop the hostile environment and recognise the human value of those who have decided to make their homes in this country because of the oppression they face back home.”
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