A Pakistani national convicted of drug dealing in the United Kingdom has avoided deportation after an immigration tribunal ruled that returning him to Pakistan would seriously harm his mental health and disrupt ongoing treatment. Muhammad Izhan, who was sentenced to 30 months in prison for involvement in a sophisticated class A and B drug operation, had faced a deportation order issued by the Home Office following his conviction in March 2024.
The Upper Tribunal, led by Judge Luke Bulpitt, accepted evidence that deportation would negatively affect Izhan’s mental health and increase the likelihood of drug relapse. The court highlighted that Izhan’s criminal behavior was influenced by his struggle to manage ADHD and the peer pressure he experienced growing up. Despite his involvement in criminal activities, judges noted that Izhan had once been a “star pupil” during his school years, actively participating in sports such as rugby and demonstrating strong engagement in both primary and secondary education in East Anglia after arriving in the UK in 2010 at age seven.
Medical evidence played a key role in the decision. Consultant psychiatrist Dr Arvin Gupta testified that Izhan likely suffered from ADHD alongside a mental and behavioral disorder linked to cannabis use. He had previously been referred to a general practitioner for ADHD support after disciplinary issues at school, including theft and bringing a bladed weapon to school, which led to his suspension in 2015.
The tribunal noted that deportation would make reintegration difficult, as his extended family in Pakistan was unaware of his ADHD or criminal record. Judge Bulpitt emphasized that the risk of mental health deterioration and engagement in further drug-related behavior was high if Izhan were removed from the UK. He concluded that his vulnerabilities, including ADHD and PTSD, posed “very significant obstacles to integration” in Pakistan.
The ruling overturned the Home Office’s attempt to deport him, upholding a previous First-Tier Tribunal decision by Judge Samina Iqbal, which had recognized Izhan’s achievements at school and his full immersion in educational and sporting activities despite earlier disciplinary issues. The decision highlights how UK tribunals can consider mental health, childhood background, and personal vulnerabilities when evaluating deportation cases, even for individuals with criminal convictions.
