Pakistani family fleeing from Mohmand Agency excels in education in UK

LONDON: A Pakistani family that fled to the UK over threats from the militants from Pakistan’s tribal areas Mohmand agency is making a big impact in the education sector in Britain with major achievements.

Mumtaz Khan from Mohmand agency Pakistan tribal areas reached the UK 13 years ago with his wife and four children, all under the age of 9 and unable to speak a word of English. The family had faced life threats from the local rival tribes and militants and had at least four family members killed by the extremists.

In an inspiring tale of resilience and determination, Khan’s 3rd child Ibrahim Mumtaz has achieved the remarkable feat of securing top positions in both his GCSE and A-level exams for two consecutive years. In his A levels exam, Ibrahim has achieved an impressive three As (A*, A*, and A in Mathematics, Further Mathematics, and Economics). He’s now off to study economics at the University College London. In his GCSE, he had achieved top position with the highest grades.

Ibrahim joins his two elder sisters in excelling in education. Geo and The News met the family at their home in London to hear their story.

The eldest of the Mumtaz siblings, Anum Mumtaz, 24, has carved out a path of success through sheer hard work and focus. In 2023, Anum completed her degree in Accounting and Finance from Greenwich University.

Her academic journey was not an easy one; she had to overcome numerous challenges along the way, but her determination never wavered. She now works at a leading firm as a chartered accountant.

Following in her sister’s footsteps of academic excellence is Khudija Mumtaz, 21, who is currently pursuing a degree in English Literature at King’s College London, one of the most prestigious universities in the UK. Khudija’s journey to King’s College began with her outstanding performance at Harris Academy Bermondsey, where she excelled in her GCSEs. She achieved top grades, earning A*, A*, and A in History, Sociology and English.

The journey of Khan’s family began when Ibrahim was just five years old, Musa Mumtaz was three, Anum was nine and Khadija was eight. Musa is also performing exceptionally well academically, and is anticipated to achieve excellent grades in his GCSE exams.

The family, who spoke no English, faced numerous challenges as they adapted to life in a new country.

For Ibrahim, the language barrier was especially daunting. At the age of five, he could neither understand nor speak English, which made his early years in school particularly difficult. His sisters faced the same difficulty.

They arrived in Manchester and had to relocate three times and faced dire economic hardships but Mumtaz Khan and his wife decided to focus on the education of their children.

The four siblings told Geo News they are proud of their parents for what they have done from them, coming from a conservative background and having almost no means.

Mumtaz Khan said: “From our early days as newcomers to the UK, facing language barriers and adjusting to a new culture, our children have risen to remarkable heights in their academic and professional lives.

Their achievements serve as an inspiration not only to their peers but to everyone who believes in the potential of hard work and determination.

“My children's accomplishments are a source of immense pride for their family and community. From Anum’s success in the professional world as an accountant to Khadija’s promising academic journey in literature, and Ibrahim’s bright future in economics, my family has shown that with determination, hard work, and a supportive environment, anything is possible.”

He said the family’s background was a far cry from the modern, fast-paced world of the UK. He said: “We came from a society that was both socially and economically backward, where access to quality education and opportunities was limited. Despite this, I was determined that my children would have the best chance to build a better future. Each of my children embraced their education with the tenacity of true survivors. They pushed through the language barriers, slowly mastering English, and started to excel in their studies. Their teachers soon noticed their potential, and with encouragement and support, they began to thrive academically.”