Gran’s floods terror escape

Naz Parveen

AN Oldham family today told how their grandmother came within seconds of being swept to her death in the devastating floods in Pakistan.

Naz Parveen (59) was travelling to Islamabad airport to fly out to visit her family in Oldham when the she was caught up in the disaster which has killed more than 1,500 people.

Mrs Parveen, from Peshawar, was being driven to the airport on Friday and her son Adil Hussain (38), of Yorkdale, Clarksfield, said: “Suddenly the flood came. There was a very big rush of water.

“Fortunately the driver managed to turn the car and her life was saved.”

People were swept away in the torrent, but Mrs Parveen managed to return home to find her that much of her house had been destroyed.

She stayed there for two days, terrified that the roof would collapse on her, while her family desperately tried to arrange another flight.

During her second journey to the airport she had to leave the car at one point and struggle on foot through mud for more than a mile.

“The Army had built a temporary bridge. When she reached that area they advised passengers to get out of the vehicles and walk.

“The mud was up to her knees and she fell down in it,” explained Mr Hussain, who owns EMC News in Yorkshire Street with his brother, Asif (36).

“The water has risen up to 20 to 25 ft and 70 per cent of her house has fallen down. There is no one to repair it, she has no family there and there is no one to look after her.

Now the family is appealing for the widow who has chronic arthritis to be allowed to stay in the UK with her two sons, their wives and her five grandchildren.

It is her second visit to her family and Mr Hussain added: “She doesn’t want to go back because she is traumatised.

Mr Hussain and his brother came to the UK on the highly-skilled migrant programme and were allowed to bring their wives and children as dependants.

However, Mrs Parveen is not classed as a dependent and can only stay for six months on a visitor’s visa.

“It is really difficult for us to send her back. We do not want to break the law and she has bought a return ticket.

“We want her to be given discretionary permission to live here with her children and grandchildren. We are not asking for any money or any help.”