The plight of an Afghan family detained in Pakistan due to a leaked UK database raises urgent concerns over their safety if forcibly returned to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The family, linked to UK military efforts, fears that their deportation could lead to dire consequences, highlighting the challenges faced by Afghan evacuees and the responsibilities of international nations.
Afghan Family Faces Imminent Deportation Amid UK Data Breach
Afghan Family Faces Imminent Deportation Amid UK Data Breach
A son fears for his family’s safety as they face deportation from Pakistan due to a data breach exposing their association with UK forces in Afghanistan.
An Afghan man, whose details were exposed in a significant data breach by the UK, is currently being held in Pakistan for imminent deportation with his family. The son of the detained man revealed to the BBC that his father served with special forces during the UK’s operations in Afghanistan and fears for their lives if forced to return to their home country.
This situation arises as Pakistan enforces its policy of removing "illegal foreign nationals." The son, identifying himself as Rayan, expressed deep concern that the Taliban would target them due to his father's association with the British forces. While the Taliban assures all Afghans can live safely in the country, recent UN findings suggest the opposite, raising alarms about the true risks facing deported individuals.
After applying to the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power, the family awaited relocation decisions in Pakistan. They were abruptly detained just as their request was supported by the Ministry of Defence. Rayan described his harrowing experience of hiding to escape the police during the forced detainment of some relatives, including young children.
With their biometrics recorded, the family awaited news since October 2022 but received no updates. Rayan has pleaded with the British High Commission in Islamabad, seeking refuge elsewhere for his family amid fears of further detentions.
Responses from UK officials highlight their commitment to relocation efforts; however, the timing remains uncertain. Criticism has surfaced from UK politicians who advocate for more robust actions to safeguard Afghan allies in peril.
The situation is exacerbated as over a million individuals have returned to Afghanistan under Pakistan's renewed repatriation efforts since 2023, with nearly three million Afghans currently in the country—many of whom fled following the Taliban’s 2021 takeover. Humanitarian agencies, including the UNHCR, are urgently urging Pakistan to ensure safe and voluntary repatriation for Afghans at risk of persecution.
As deportations continue amidst police crackdowns, the tension surrounding the future of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains alarmingly high, revealing a pressing need for international intervention and support for those facing uncertain destinies.
