UK to deport aspiring astrophysicist, 23, to Pakistan where she faces death or forced marriage to cousin

Exclusive: Woman faces prospect of being murdered if she refuses to marry relative

A 23-year-old woman who has won offers to study astrophysics at some of Britain’s most prestigious universities, after living more than half her life in the UK, is to be deported to Pakistan, the country of her birth, where her father is demanding she marry her older cousin.

Disobeying him could see her ostracised or even killed for violating her family’s “honour”, she fears.

The woman, who spoke exclusively to The Independent, and whose identity is being concealed to protect her safety, had her bid for asylum rejected in February. Officials claimed there was not sufficient evidence she was at risk. She has lodged an appeal and is awaiting the outcome of the hearing held this month.

Sairah Javed, her solicitor, said the Home Office based its earlier rejection on its belief that her father, who had worked as a Pakistani civil servant, did not fit the profile of an abuser.

And in the event she felt unsafe, it had advised her to seek protection from the Pakistani state, Ms Javed said.

“She would be returning to a country where her father is seen to be her guardian and is allowed to make every and all decisions for herself; where she would have limited to no freedoms on her own life decisions,” Ms Javed said.

“If she says ‘No’ to the prospect of a forced marriage, there are concerns in relation to honour killings. If he seeks [her] out and calls police to intervene, police will assist him.”

A report into the woman’s case shown to The Independent highlighted how forcing women into marriage was a common custom that is largely unchecked by the state – despite the practice being illegal.

It was undertaken by Dr Farhaaan Wali, an academic at Bangor University and immigration and asylum consultant.

In the report, he said the consequences of refusing a forced marriage were, in many cases, fatal. One in five murders in Pakistan were said to be attributed to an honour killing – over 90 per cent of which are committed by a close family member, including fathers and brothers.

“Honour killing has become a common social practice in which women are targeted by family members to avenge dishonour,” the report read.

“In terms of [this young woman], there is a strong likelihood that she could become a victim of honour killing, as she is refusing her parent’s marriage command.”

Even if she was not killed, the report said it would be difficult for her to find housing or employment as these often required a male guardian.

“As a single woman [she] would struggle to survive, which increases the risk of harassment and exploitation.”

Women protest against domestic violence in Pakistan (AP) (REUTERS)

In the UK, the 23-year-old’s prospects are bright. She has an educational scholarship and has been offered a place to study astrophysics at King’s College London, Bristol University, Sheffield University and Queen Mary University.

“I consider myself British, I’ve adapted to the culture, I feel more westernised, I live here,” she said.

Memories of her life in Pakistan are few, but she does remember her father. “I try to forget those memories, I didn’t have a good time,” she said. “Whatever I remember, I link back to him.”

Born in Islamabad, she first came to the UK in 2007 when she was 11, along with her parents, sister and brother. She said her father was different in the UK; the abuse was largely mental, rather than physical.

“He was scared of the authorities here,” she said. “He wasn’t physically abusive towards us, he used to mentally torture us.

“He was constantly telling us: ‘You guys will see what I’ll do when we return to Pakistan.’”

She said her father came through with his threats when the family returned to Pakistan in 2011, trapping her in the house when she tried to visit her maternal grandmother.

“He locked me and my sister in my room ... and he went and did the same thing to my mum,” she said.

They escaped to their maternal grandfather’s house. But, she said, the threats escalated and eventually they all fled back to the UK in 2012, where her mother claimed unsuccessfully for asylum on the basis of domestic violence.

In 2017, the young student was prompted to make her own bid for asylum after her father wrote letters – including one to the Pakistani courts – in an effort to marry her and her younger sister off in Pakistan.

Activists of Pakistan’s Working Women Organisations at a rally for women’s rights in 2016 (Getty)

The letter revealed the father’s desire to get custody of his three children - all of whom are now legally adults – and remove them from western influences.

He wrote: “I am totally against modern education being given in United Kingdom and desirous that my kids become familiar with religion and have religious education.”

He said it was also against his religion, tradition and culture to allow his daughters to stay at home unmarried.

He continued: “Attaining the age of majority we arrange their marriages without any delay. When my daughters were not adult, I promised with my elder brother to marry them with their younger sons.”

His daughter said the thought of being married to her cousin or disobeying her father filled her with fear.

“In Pakistani culture if you don’t obey your father, his honour would be affected,” she said. “They can go to any extent, they can physically abuse you and kill you in the name of honour.

“I grew up here, I want to feel safe, I want to live in an environment where I can make my own decisions.”

The Home Office refused to comment on the 23-year-old’s case because it “would be inappropriate to comment on cases where legal proceedings are outstanding”.

It said anyone seeking asylum needed to establish they had a well-founded fear of persecution or that their circumstances would put at risk their ability to live freely, and safely, as stated under Article 3 of the Human Rights Act.

The Home Office said decision makers took into account “all available evidence provided by the claimant in light of published country information, which covers country specific issues relating to gender-based harm”.