A Muslim lesbian couple from Pakistan have been joined in a civil union in the UK and seek political asylum saying they will be persecuted for their sexuality if they return to their home country.

Rehana Kausar, 34, and Sobia Kamar, 29 became civil partners in a ceremony earlier this month in Leeds.

‘This country allows us rights and it’s a very personal decision that we have taken,’ said Kausar to the Birmingham Mail.

‘The problem with Pakistan is that everyone believes he is in charge of other people lives and can best decide about the morals of others, but that’s not the right approach.’

In Pakistan same-sex relationships are out-lawed by Islamic law.

‘They have been very brave throughout as our religion does not condone homosexuality,’ the Birmingham Mail quotes a relative as saying.

‘The couple have had their lives threatened both here and in Pakistan and there is no way they could ever return there.’

The couple met in the UK around three years ago when the were both studying business and healthcare management in Birmingham and lived together in South Yorkshire for a year before deciding to undertake a civil union.