Imrana is originally from Rawalpindi in Pakistan. She married her husband Waheed Asghar in 1982, they moved to Libya in 1983, where they had their first daughter in 1984. In 1984 they also visited family who were settled in the UK and then returned to Libya for Waheed’s work as a maintenance manager for residential homes.

In 1993 Waheed’s work in Libya ended and Imrana grew concerned about the education of their three daughters. “We have relations in England, why don’t we just settle over there?” she suggested. They decided to give it a go. Returning to Pakistan they visited the British Embassy, got their 6-month UK visa and settled with their family in Stoke-on-Trent.

Imrana was keen for her daughters to go to school even though the plan was to live in Stoke temporarily. With the help of locals, and a generous headmaster the girls were given places. Because her middle daughter was distressed at being left the headteacher suggested that Imrana stay until she was settled. Imrana remembers that “Instead of just sitting in a corner, I would help the children in the class”. The teacher noticed how good she was and suggested the headteacher keep her.

Imrana was offered a job but explained that her visa did not allow her to work. Her family might have to apply for asylum to stay as they were informed it would be dangerous for them to return to Pakistan. The headteacher told Imrana not to worry and that he would get her permission from the Home Office. Soon after she was working as a teaching assistant which the school never previously had.

Whilst their asylum case continued, the Waheed family moved into a house and Imrana continued to work as a teaching assistant. She then became pregnant with their fourth daughter Aamna in 1995., who at 3 months was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. Their solicitor at the time told them to not inform the Home Office of Aamna’s birth.

Imrana became very ill, whilst she was in hospital the family were threatened with being deported back to Pakistan. Three friends and Mohammed Tufail, then director of the North Staffordshire Racial Equality Council, went to work to prove to the Home Office that deporting the family to Pakistan could mean a death sentence for Aamna.

Mr Tufaill went to Pakistan, gathering doctors’ letters and other evidence in an attempt to stop the deportation. The hospital recommended by the Home Office for Cystic Fibrosis treatmentin Pakistan was in fact an eye hospital! It was proven that there was no treatment available for Aamna in Pakistan.

The family were allowed to remain in the UK for Aamna’s wellbeing. Once they had received their passports the group of friends gifted the family with a rose tree called Remembrance. “I was so blessed coming to this country.” Imrana adds, “I had brilliant friends.”

“It’s a good place to live, Stoke-on-Trent. There’s a close community. [You] meet very nice and genuine people”. Imrana and Waheed now run two small shops next to the Potteries shopping centre in Hanley, Waheed’s Chill & Spice and a mobile phone accessories shop.