05-28-2010, 10:16 AM
LONDON - A Pakistani student, arrested in bungled “Operation Pathway” and later on cleared of involvement in an alleged terror plot by the London High Court, has demanded that he should be compensated for his 13-month “hell”.
Shoaib Khan, 31, won his appeal against deportation to Pakistan last Tuesday. The Accountancy student was part of the infamous North West 10, the group of Pakistani men arrested last April. None of them was charged by Greater Manchester Police due to lack of evidence. But the government wanted to send them back to Pakistan, arguing that they are still a danger to Britain.
Khan’s lawyer, Amjad Malik, told The Nation that his client’s life had been ruined. The Rochdale-based lawyer said, “Shoaib was considered a threat for 13 months. He should be compensated for his lost year of study, tuition fees, and humiliation, which he has to go through for months. He and the other students lost their studies, careers, and livelihood and will carry the blame for the rest of their lives. Whether they were innocent or not, who will believe them [after] a judgement is declared against those who appealed [their deportation]?”
“Shoaib got through, but the march on the road to justice is still on,” Ajmal remarked.
Khan will now apply for a new student visa in order to enter Britain in a bid to rebuild his life. Malik also represented Tariq-ur-Rehman and Abdul Wahab Khan, who both lost their appeals against deportation. Eight of them have now been deported.
Shoaib Khan, 31, won his appeal against deportation to Pakistan last Tuesday. The Accountancy student was part of the infamous North West 10, the group of Pakistani men arrested last April. None of them was charged by Greater Manchester Police due to lack of evidence. But the government wanted to send them back to Pakistan, arguing that they are still a danger to Britain.
Khan’s lawyer, Amjad Malik, told The Nation that his client’s life had been ruined. The Rochdale-based lawyer said, “Shoaib was considered a threat for 13 months. He should be compensated for his lost year of study, tuition fees, and humiliation, which he has to go through for months. He and the other students lost their studies, careers, and livelihood and will carry the blame for the rest of their lives. Whether they were innocent or not, who will believe them [after] a judgement is declared against those who appealed [their deportation]?”
“Shoaib got through, but the march on the road to justice is still on,” Ajmal remarked.
Khan will now apply for a new student visa in order to enter Britain in a bid to rebuild his life. Malik also represented Tariq-ur-Rehman and Abdul Wahab Khan, who both lost their appeals against deportation. Eight of them have now been deported.