Case ID: f-appx_122/html/0132-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM: \n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Barkat PIRMUHAMMAD, Petitioner, v. John ASHCROFT, U.S. Attorney General, Respondent.
    No. 04-60142.
    Summary Calendar.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit.
    Decided Feb. 16, 2005.
    Frank Guerra, Sugar Land, TX, for Petitioner.
    Thomas Ward Hussey, Director, Anthony Cardozo Payne, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Immigration Litigation, Alberto R. Gonzales, U.S. Department of Justice, Barry Joseph Pettinato, U.S. Department of Justice Department of Homeland Security, Washington, DC, Hipólito Acosta, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service, Houston, TX, Caryl G. Thompson, U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service District Directors Office, New Orleans, LA, for Respondent.
    Before DAVIS, SMITH and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
   PER CURIAM:

Barkat Pirmuhammad petitions this court to review the decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals (“BIA”) denying relief on his application for asylum, withholding of removal, and relief under the Convention Against Torture (“CAT”). As to his asylum application, Pirmuhammad seeks to challenge the BIA’s determination that his application was untimely under 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2). This court lacks jurisdiction to review the BIA’s determination that Pirmuhammad’s asylum application was untimely. See 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(3).

Pirmuhammad argues that the BIA erred in denying his application for withholding of removal. He contends that the several death threats he received while living in the Sindh province of Pakistan constitute past persecution. “[Pjersecution requires more than a few isolated incidents of verbal harassment or intimidation, unaccompanied by any physical punishment, infliction of harm, or significant deprivation of liberty.” Eduard v. Ashcroft, 379 F.3d 182, 187 n. 4 (5th Cir. 2004) (quotation omitted). According to his testimony, Pirmuhammad was never physically abused, detained, or interrogated by police. He has failed to show that he was subject to past persecution. See id.; Abdel-Masieh v. INS, 73 F.3d 579, 583-84 (5th Cir.1996).

Because Pirmuhammad failed to establish past persecution, he must show that it is more likely than not that he will suffer persecution in the future. See 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(b)(2). Relying on documentary evidence, he argues that members of the MQM party face continuing danger in Pakistan.

Pirmuhammad testified that he was able to avoid threats and persecution from 1994 to 1998 by moving to small villages in the Sindh province. The documentary evidence shows that MQM party members such as Pirmuhammad can safely relocate to other provinces. Substantial evidence supports the BIA’s determination that Pirmuhammad has not met his burden to establish an entitlement to withholding of removal. See Efe v. Ashcroft, 293 F.3d 899, 906 (5th Cir.2002); 8 C.F.R. § 208.16(b)(2), (3)(i).

Pirmuhammad does not brief the BIA’s denial of relief under the CAT. Accordingly, he has waived the claim. See Rodriguez v. INS, 9 F.3d 408, 414 n. 15 (5th Cir.1993).

Pirmuhammad’s petition for review is DENIED. 
      
       Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir. R. 47.5.4.