An Afghan family, fearing for their lives, has been caught in a web of uncertainty and danger after a significant data breach by the UK exposed their personal details. Their plight highlights the precarious situation of many Afghan refugees in Pakistan as they confront imminent deportation under the country's crackdown on illegal immigrants.
The family’s ordeal began when Pakistani authorities detained them, following accidentally leaked information which identified the father as a member of the Afghan special forces known as the Triples, who collaborated with British forces. His son, identified only as Rayan for safety reasons, expressed his deep fear of the consequences should they be forcibly returned to Afghanistan. "If they deport us, we will be killed because of my father's past," he said, emphasizing the urgency of their circumstances.
Despite the Taliban’s assertions of general safety for Afghans, a recent UN report titled "No Safe Haven" casts doubt on the validity of such claims. The family had applied for relocation assistance under the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy soon after the Taliban regained control in August 2021, but their fate remains uncertain while they wait in Pakistan.
Rayan described harrowing scenes as he evaded capture by hiding in a hotel bathroom while several family members were taken to a holding camp. He recounted the fear and panic that engulfed them as officials announced deportations to his brother. Other relatives, including children, were not spared from this distressing ordeal, leaving Rayan desperate for help.
Having waited for clarity since October 2022, when they had their biometrics taken, the family still finds themselves in limbo. Despite having support from the UK Ministry of Defence endorsing their relocation application, no action has been taken, amplifying their anxiety.
The UK government states its commitment to assist eligible individuals but is tight-lipped on individual cases. This lack of support coupled with leaked data, which contained details of nearly 19,000 Afghan applicants, has heightened their vulnerability.
Prominent figures like Labour MP Calvin Bailey, who worked alongside the Afghan Triples during his service, have called for urgent action from the government to ensure these individuals receive adequate protection. "We owe a duty to help these people," Bailey asserted, reflecting a growing sentiment that they must not be forsaken.
Pakistan has a long history of hosting Afghan refugees but is now tightening restrictions on undocumented migrants. Since launching its repatriation plan in September 2023, over a million individuals have returned to Afghanistan, often under duress. The UNHCR emphasizes that any return process should be safe, voluntary, and dignified, urging Pakistan to exempt those in need of international protection.
As Rayan pleads with the British High Commission for assistance, the family’s fate hangs in the balance, serving as a grim reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by Afghan refugees amidst political and social turmoil.
