Threats to deport faced by former Afghan soldiers who were "abandoned" by the UK
Approximately 200 Afghan special forces personnel, who sought refuge in Pakistan while awaiting relocation to the UK, are reportedly facing deportation back to Afghanistan, as per the BBC. Trained and funded by the UK, these personnel fled to Pakistan after the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021.
The concerns for the Afghan commandos arise amid revelations that the UK government rejected appeals from senior British diplomatic and military figures to grant asylum to Afghan leaders facing threats to their lives. The fate of the Afghan soldiers appears uncertain, with the UK government allegedly dismissing urgent pleas for assistance from 32 former governors and officials who collaborated with the UK and the US in Afghanistan's Helmand province.
According to a BBC report, a private letter sent to the Foreign Office in March 2022 sought help for these officials who applied for relocation to the UK under the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme (Arap). The program is designed for officials employed by the UK government or those who work alongside its departments. Many applicants were reportedly rejected, while others continue to await decisions after over a year.
The report highlights the challenging circumstances faced by these Afghan special forces soldiers, such as Ali, who mentioned living in a single room with his wife and five children as Pakistani authorities crack down on illegal foreign nationals. The concerns extend beyond special forces personnel to Afghan civilians who assisted the UK and are now reportedly "left in the cold."
Former governor Mohammad Fahim emphasized the real threat he faces from the Taliban, stating, "The Afghan Taliban know we were fighting together with the international forces, so the threat to me is real."
The UK's Ministry of Defence stated that approximately 24,600 people have been brought to safety. A ministry spokesperson, quoted by the BBC, mentioned that each Arap application is individually assessed according to published policy, without automatic decisions based on job roles.
