Teenager’s family struggles to bring him home from Pakistan

A Yorkshire teenager who went to Pakistan in February this year for his brother’s wedding was the victim of an unfortunate accident when he fell from the roof of the house where he went to see the fireworks.

The 19-year-old fell on solid concrete and was immediately taken to the Shifa International Hospital in Islamabad due to serious trauma to the head. After the doctors found that he had fractured his skull, the young man was taken in for a brain surgery that saved his life.

Ulhaq, who was brought up in Dewsbury, has since undergone multiple surgeries to have a skull bone placed back into his head as his condition kept deteriorating after it was placed the first time, and the second time he developed a serious infection due to which the surgeons had to remove it again.

Despite his condition improving wherein he can speak and eat semi-solid food, Ulhaq’s worried family, has been desperate to get him back to the UK. However, the doctors have not authorised his travel due to his missing skull bone which makes it very risky as cabin pressure on planes can make matters worse.

To transport Ulhaq safely back to the UK, his family will have to arrange a private jet with a built-in ICU which costs approximately £65,000. To facilitate this, a GoFundMe page was set up and so far, £37,148 has been raised through kind donations made by 1500 people.

Ulhaq’s aunt, Tahmina Inam, who set up the page on the donation platform said, “For five months, he has been undergoing several surgeries which have included having an artificial bone fitted. His case is very complicated. He can’t fly commercially because part of his skull is missing.”

Speaking about the issues they have faced in getting him back to the country Inam added, “Before the Ukraine crisis we were quoted £55,000 (for the private jet), now it is £75,000. We realise this is a huge target and times are tough financially for most at the moment but please if anyone can make any donation, however big or small, it will all help to get Subhaan on a flight home; we would all be eternally grateful. Thank you for all of the support that everyone’s already given.”

It has been reported that the teenager’s artificial skull bone was successfully placed into his head on 12 June.