London, February 2023 — In the biting cold of a London winter, Pakistani students scattered across the capital are facing challenges that extend far beyond their lecture halls. With rising rents, soaring energy bills, and the pressures of adjusting to life abroad, many say this winter has been one of the toughest they have experienced.
At a small café near Whitechapel, a group of three young students huddled around a steaming pot of chai. “It’s not just the weather that feels cold,” said Adeel, a second-year business student from Lahore. “It’s the cost of living. Heating is expensive, groceries are expensive — everything adds up. Sometimes we skip turning on the heater to save money.”
“Ghar walay samajhte hain ke yahan paisay kamaana aasaan hai,” he added softly. “Lekin asal mein zindagi kafi mushkil hai.”
The UK has been grappling with one of its most severe cost-of-living crises in decades, driven by energy price spikes and inflation. For international students, especially those from countries like Pakistan, the pinch feels sharper. Unlike many domestic students, they pay higher tuition fees and often rely on family savings or remittances from home.
Rising Costs, Tough Choices
Maryam, pursuing a master’s in public health, explained how the financial strain affects her daily life. “I share a flat with three other girls,” she said. “We’ve had to set strict rules about when the heating can be on. We’re all budgeting to the last pound. Sometimes, it feels like our studies are competing with survival.”
Some students take up part-time work to ease the burden, but balancing jobs with studies is not always straightforward. Ahmed, who works night shifts at a convenience store, admitted the toll it takes. “I get home at 2 a.m. and then have a lecture at 9. It’s exhausting, but what can I do? My family back home is already stretching to send me money.”
“Raat bhar kaam karna aur subah class mein jaana — yeh sab bohot thaka dene wala hai,” he said. “Magar humaray paas aur koi raasta nahi hai.”
Community Support and Small Comforts
Despite the challenges, students lean on one another for support. In many areas with large South Asian populations, Pakistani grocery stores and halal eateries provide both affordable food and a sense of home.
“There’s a desi community vibe here,” said Sara, an undergraduate from Karachi. “We gather on weekends, cook together, share stories. It helps fight loneliness.”
Local community groups and student associations also organise meet-ups and cultural events. A recent student-led fundraiser in East London collected funds for flood relief efforts in Pakistan, reminding many of their shared identity and responsibilities.
Looking Ahead with Hope
For many, the hardships are balanced by the hope of building better futures. “We didn’t come here for an easy ride,” Adeel reflected. “We came here because education is an investment. We want to take skills back to Pakistan, or even stay and contribute here. Either way, the struggle is part of the journey.”
With spring still weeks away, Pakistani students in the UK continue to juggle lectures, part-time jobs, and the cold reality of life abroad. Yet, even in the depths of winter, their resilience offers warmth — a quiet reminder of the sacrifices young people make in pursuit of education and opportunity.
اردو خلاصہ:
لندن میں پاکستانی طلبہ شدید سردی اور بڑھتی ہوئی مہنگائی کے باعث مشکلات کا شکار ہیں۔ رہائش اور توانائی کے بل زیادہ ہونے کی وجہ سے ان کی روزمرہ زندگی متاثر ہو رہی ہے۔ تاہم، کمیونٹی سپورٹ اور عزم کے ساتھ یہ طلبہ تعلیم اور بہتر مستقبل کے لیے جدوجہد جاری رکھے ہوئے ہیں
