An Afghan man, whose information was unintentionally released by UK authorities in a significant data breach, is currently being held in Pakistan for imminent deportation. His son has expressed grave concerns about their safety if they are sent back to Afghanistan. The leaked documents reportedly indicate that the man served in special forces units known as the Triples, aligned with British forces during the Afghanistan conflict.
As Pakistan intensifies its measures to repatriate what it considers "illegal foreign nationals," the urgency for the Afghan man's family has increased dramatically. The son, who spoke anonymously, conveyed fears that their association with British forces would put them at risk of death if deported. Contrary to this, the Taliban government claims that all Afghans can live peacefully in the country; however, a recent UN report raises doubts about their assurances of safety.
The family had initially applied for relocation through the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) shortly after the Taliban regained power in August 2021. Their application was endorsed by the Ministry of Defence last year, but while waiting in Pakistan for a decision, the authorities moved to detain them.
The son, referred to here as Rayan, narrowly escaped capture, hiding with his wife and baby in a hotel bathroom as police apprehended other family members. “Some of my family are just children... I begged the police to leave them,” he lamented. Rayan disclosed that his brother, detained in a holding camp, revealed that officials plan to deport them, making Rayan fear for their safety.
The family has faced uncertainty since their biometrics were recorded in October 2024, but there has been no follow-up communication from authorities. Rayan expressed his despair, stating they have simply been waiting for too long without any explanation.
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson declined to comment on individual cases, reiterating their commitment to relocating eligible individuals after thorough checks. This situation is compounded by the concern that the details of nearly 19,000 Afghan resettlement applicants leaked in February 2022 potentially endangered their lives.
As Rayan worries that he and his remaining family could be next for detention, he has contacted the British High Commission for a more secure accommodation arrangement. Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF commander who worked alongside the Triples, remarked on the distressing nature of the family's plight, emphasizing the moral obligation to assist them.
Pakistan has traditionally provided refuge to Afghan families but has expressed frustration regarding the extended delays in resettling these individuals. The Interior Minister publicly questioned why the UK has not expedited the relocation process, given that over a million individuals have returned to Afghanistan under Pakistan's recent repatriation initiative.
The UN estimates approximately three million Afghans currently reside in Pakistan, with about half undocumented. They have urged Pakistani authorities to assure that the repatriation of Afghans is conducted safely and voluntarily, especially given the risks posed by forced returns amid rising police raids.
