An Afghan man, whose particulars had been by accident leaked by the UK in a major data breach, has been detained in Pakistan for imminent deportation alongside a number of members of the family, his son instructed the BBC.
The BBC has seen paperwork which seem to verify the person was a part of Afghan particular forces models who labored alongside British forces in Afghanistan, referred to as the Triples.
The specter of deportation comes as Pakistan continues its drive to take away what they are saying are “unlawful overseas nationals” to their international locations.
However the Afghan man’s son stated their case is especially pressing, as if they’re deported to Afghanistan, he fears they are going to be killed due to his father’s Triples affiliation.
The Taliban authorities claims that each one Afghans can “dwell within the nation with none concern”. However a UN report titled “No protected haven” that was launched final month forged doubt on their assurances a few normal amnesty.
The person and his household initially utilized to the UK’s Afghan Relocations and Help Coverage (ARAP) – which was set as much as relocate and defend Afghans who labored with British forces or the UK authorities in Afghanistan – shortly after the Taliban returned to energy in August 2021.
The household had been in Pakistan ready for a last choice on the applying – which was endorsed by the Ministry of Defence final 12 months – when Pakistani authorities got here to take them away.
The person’s son, Rayan, whose identify we’re altering for his security, instructed the BBC he prevented being rounded up after hiding in a resort rest room within the capital Islamabad together with his spouse and child son as a number of of his members of the family had been taken to a holding camp.
“A few of my household are simply youngsters, the youngest is simply eight months previous, we stored begging the police to depart them.”
His brother later known as from the camp to say officers knowledgeable them they might be deported, Rayan added.
“My brother instructed me they had been stored in a room with about 90 different folks, and had been then singled out by identify and separated,” Rayan stated. “I am so scared they may abruptly be deported.”
Rayan defined the household had been in limbo in Pakistan since October 2024, when the household had their biometrics recorded.
However they’re nonetheless ready.
“Now we have simply been ready with no rationalization. They stored telling us to attend, and now it’s too late,” Rayan stated.
A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence stated it doesn’t touch upon particular person instances. “We stay absolutely dedicated to honouring our commitments to all eligible individuals who move their related checks for relocation,” the assertion added.
The scenario is made extra worrying by the actual fact the household’s particulars had been amongst these of practically 19,000 Afghans who had utilized to resettle within the UK which had been inadvertently leaked in February 2022. Families involved in the leak fear it has made them vulnerable.
Rayan is now terrified police will come again to detain him, his spouse and their little one subsequent, and stated he has been pleading with the British Excessive Fee in Islamabad to be relocated to a different resort for cover.
Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP who labored alongside the Afghan Triples as an RAF commander, instructed the BBC that the scenario is “extremely upsetting”. He stated Rayan’s father and the Triples had been “people who we have to assist and we owe an obligation to and we should be certain that they obtain greater than the minimal safety”.
Bailey went on so as to add that he hopes the federal government and the British Excessive Fee is engaged behind the scenes, though that work just isn’t all the time public.
Pakistan has an extended report of taking in Afghan refugees. However the authorities has beforehand stated it has been annoyed by the size of time it has taken for Afghans to be relocated to different international locations.
Pakistan’s Inside Minister, Talal Chaudry, instructed the BBC it “ought to ask the UK authorities why they’re delaying these resettlements”.
“It is already been years,” he stated. “Do you actually assume they may give any leniency to Pakistani nationals who’re overstaying within the UK?”
Since September 2023, the 12 months Pakistan launched its “Unlawful Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan”, 1,159,812 people have returned to Afghanistan, based on the United Nations migration company.
The federal government has maintained its coverage is geared toward all unlawful overseas nationals.
About three million Afghans live in Pakistan, based on the UN’s refugee company – together with round 600,000 individuals who got here after the Taliban takeover in 2021. The UN estimates that half are undocumented.
The United Nations Refugee Company (UNHCR) has known as on Pakistan to “be certain that any return of Afghans to Afghanistan is voluntary, protected and dignified”.
Amid police raids and deportations this summer time, UNHCR has urged the federal government “to use measures to exempt Afghans with continued worldwide safety wants from involuntary return”.
Extra reporting by Usman Zahid
