An Afghan man, whose personal details were unintentionally disclosed in a major UK data breach, is facing imminent deportation from Pakistan alongside his family, raising fears for their safety, especially given his previous service with British forces in Afghanistan. His son, who spoke to the BBC under the pseudonym Rayan, expressed grave concerns that if they are returned to Afghanistan, they may be killed due to the father's affiliation with the Afghan special forces, labeled the Triples.
Under a recent initiative, Pakistan has embarked on a campaign to deport "illegal foreign nationals," which has seen hundreds of thousands of Afghans returned to their homeland. This campaign coincides with the family's ongoing struggle for relocation under the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) established after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021.
Rayan recounted the family's harrowing experience in Pakistan, which includes an attempt to evade arrest by hiding in a hotel bathroom. Approximately 19,000 Afghan applicants, including his family, had their details leaked in February 2022, leading to fears that this breach has made them targets for deportation. Limited communication from Pakistani authorities, coupled with ongoing anxiety about their fates, has left them in a state of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, UK officials, including a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence, have reiterated their commitment to assist eligible individuals seeking relocation. However, uncertainty remains regarding the timeline for the processing of applications, with some families experiencing significant delays. Labour MP Calvin Bailey, who previously worked with Afghan special forces, called the situation distressing, emphasizing the obligation to provide more than minimal support to those who have aided British efforts.
The ongoing situation is compounded by Pakistan’s history of challenging the lengthy relocation processes and increasing frustrations voiced by government officials. With continued police raids and deportations reported, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for safe and dignified repatriation for Afghans and for exceptions to be made for those with critical protection needs. The plight of Rayan and his family serves as a poignant illustration of the broader risks facing vulnerable Afghan refugees.
