27 January 2025: Tariq Khan: I volunteer a lot but not having status is affecting me
I had a very decent life back home in Pakistan. Enjoying my career peak running side hustle and enjoying every second at my best. I was an Assistant Director school/ Principal of school in an Education system in Pakistan, but in 2018, a tragic incident hit my life and after doing all my best to resolve the issue I failed because of the tribal system and tribe honour, my life was at risk of being killed by my own family members. I tried all my best to get protection but due to the corrupt police and corrupt system I was refused. When I realised that I’m not any safer anywhere in my country, I made the hardest decision to leave my beloved country just to save my life. I left my country because my life was at risk due to a tragic land dispute in my family. That brutal incident took the lives of my three cousin brothers. I luckily survived two assassinations attempts. I did not leave because I was facing financial difficulties. I left because I wanted to save my life.
I came to a country that wasn’t my own and no family, and no friends- all on my own. I am an Educationist and traveller, outdoor adventurer and a sportsman, a semi-professional cricketer by heart, I wanted to see more, explore more, and learn more in my country. But due to my life threat I have to leave everything, even my beloved wife behind. Now that I am here in the UK, I am making the best of my situation.
Faith and hope keep me going. Faith kept me alive during the difficult journey here, and hope allows me to look forward to a brighter future. Fortunately, I’ve been able to make a reputation for myself here, expanding my social life and helping the society engage myself for the betterment of the community, volunteering and showcasing my sports talent to large audiences. This is what I have always wanted to share my culture with the world. volunteering, outdoor sports & cricket is my escape. When I play, do volunteering or outdoor sports I am transported into a different realm. I want people who watch my game to forget their earthly worries. There is so much suffering in the world. Ultimately, we all want the same things in life: good health, decent jobs, business liberty, and freedom to pursue opportunities for our families and ourselves. And because many people don’t feel they have that much potential. If I had one thing to say to my Government in Pakistan, it is that the population does not belong to you. You belong to the people. You have to respect them and provide them with life security, so they are not risking their lives like me.
My journey in the Uk begins as an asylum seeker in Coventry. When I arrived in Coventry, I was on my own with no friends, no families. It was from Chat Central, a project of voluntary action Coventry in 2020, where I made some lifelong connections. During volunteering there I was nominated for the Impactful Volunteer Award. I also joined the ESOL class and made myself aware of how to avoid the language barrier in our community.
In 2021 when covid erupted and everyone was in isolation I was the one who was leading from the front and I was delivering food parcels to the needy people, helping them in different other areas.
In 2021 I joined Stoneleigh cricket club and yet again proved my talent, I was amongst the First XI team. Moreover, I also joined Coventry city of culture as team lead and volunteered in 50+ community events as team leader, got bronze award for my volunteer services, I’m still part of that volunteer legacy and it’s still continued.
2021-2022 were the most beautiful years because of the city of culture events and I took part as a volunteer. In most of them, I made real good friends who are still connected till now.
I joined some other community organization as volunteer and I’m still part of them WEST MIDLAND POLICE AS STREET WATCH MEMBER, Birmingham Commonwealth games, CARAG, ININI initiative, CHAT CENTRAL, OXFAM INTERNATIONAL etc
In 2023 I started a Health Care support worker at FirstCare GB Ltd in Coventry. It was the most amazing feeling while supporting vulnerable people, I was an integral part of my team. I have to give up on my role because my asylum claim is refused and my work permission is revoked. When I told my manager she was very concerned because my dedication and work commitments were true and everyone whom I worked with was very happy with my work.
I have received many certificates and awards for my volunteering and my work for the communities. I also received best player award, best bowler award, and on top of that i have topped the Lichfield district league as the most wicket taker in the league, all my accomplishments and awards are attached as under.
In the past five years I have rebuilt my life in the UK and now I feel myself part of the Uk society. Although having a life threat in my life all the documents and media reports suggests that I have a strong threat to my life on returning to Pakistan but home office still haven’t considered my case, I am appealing to home office that please don’t waste my time and their resources, I am capable of work allow me my status my freedom and my dignity back so I can do more for the Uk and its people.
My achievements so far
- Healthcare Support worker at FirstCare GB
- Volunteer as street watch member west Midland police
- Volunteer at The ENV Coventry
- Volunteered at Birmingham CommonWealth Games 2022
- Volunteer at Oxfam international
- Volunteer at Carag
- Volunteer at Sahara Coventry
- Volunteer at Chat central
- Volunteer at ININI initiative
- Player at Stoneleigh cricket club Coventry
- Player at High Croft & Great Bar cricket club Birmingham
My Asylum-seeking Journey so far
My asylum-seeking journey in the UK has been a living nightmare. I fled serious harm and life threat in my homeland, only to arrive here and face a different kind of suffering. The endless waiting months turning into years feels like a slow death, trapped in limbo with no control over my life. I’m forbidden to work, forced to live on barely enough money to survive, and crammed into filthy, overcrowded housing that feels more like a prison than a house.
Each day is a battle against hunger, isolation, and the crushing weight of uncertainty. I’ve seen people break because of the stress, families torn apart, dreams crushed, and hope slipping away like water through fingers. Every knock on the door feels like it could be news of rejection, deportation, or worse.
The hostility is everywhere on the streets, in the media, even from the system that’s supposed to protect me. It’s as if I’m not human, just a number, a burden to be managed. I thought I had escaped hell, but sometimes it feels like I’ve just entered a different version of it, one where hope is a flicker that’s fading fast.
Why did you think of helping others ?
Because I know what it feels like to be invisible, to suffer in silence, and to have no one to turn to. When you’ve been through hell, you recognize the pain in others. Helping someone else, even when I’m struggling, reminds me that I’m still human and that I still have something to give, no matter how little it seems. In a world that often turns its back on people like me, small acts of kindness whether it’s sharing advice, translating for someone, or just listening can mean everything. It’s not about ignoring my own pain but finding strength in making someone else’s burden just a little lighter. When you help others, you light a candle in the darkness, and in that moment, you remember that hope is still alive.