CLASSMATES have rallied round two teenage boys at risk of deportation to Pakistan.

As previously told in the Evening Times, brothers Somer and Areeb Umeed Bakhsh have said they are "terrified" they might not be granted asylum.

The boys, and parents Maqsood and Parveen, are Christian and fear they will be targeted by Islamic extremists.

Now pupils at Springburn Academy have set up a petition to keep them in Scotland - with around 2000 signatures already.

And head teacher Linda Hamilton has come out in defence of the teens, saying Somer, 15, and Areeb, 13, are both "highly academic".

Mrs Hamilton said: “Somer and Areeb have been pupils at Springburn Academy since first year and spent their primary years in Glasgow too.

“Both are highly academic with Somer on track to achieve seven N5 qualifications in this session’s SQA exams and Areeb is our Junior Dux this session.

“All their teachers agree that they are kind, popular, hard-working individuals with bright futures.”

The family fled Pakistan, where Christians are persecuted, in 2012 and have spent the last six-years in Glasgow.

But the UK Government has repeatedly turned them down and now the Home Office says they have exhausted the asylum seeking process and have no right to appeal.

Somer has previously said he does not know the language of Pakistan while Areeb has plans to be an astrophysicist.

Mr Bakhsh worked as a data analyst in Pakistan and holds two masters degrees, while his wife is a trained neo-natal midwife with 17-years of experience.

Councillor Jennifer Layden, Glasgow City Council’s Equalities and Human Rights Convenor, said: “I’m deeply concerned and disheartened to hear of the Home Office decision to deport Somer and Areeb, along with their family.

"It is clear that there is significant risk to their lives should they return to Pakistan.

"I am encouraged by the campaign run by their school friends and support from their local community.

"I would like to offer any additional support I can.

"Both Somer and Areeb have been educated and lived in Glasgow, and to uproot them from promising futures to an uncertain and fearful future is cruel.

“I will write to the Immigration Minister in my capacity as Equalities and Human Rights convenor.

"Glasgow has a long history of welcoming individuals and families who are fleeing violence and this will not change.”

To sign the petition see www.change.org/p/we-stand-with-somer-and-areeb