An Afghan man who worked with British forces faces imminent deportation from Pakistan to Afghanistan, where his family fears Taliban retaliation due to his inclusion in a UK government data breach. The case highlights ongoing risks for vulnerable Afghans despite UK resettlement promises.
The detained individual served in Afghan special forces units known as the Triples that directly supported British military operations. His son Rayan (pseudonym) revealed to the BBC that Pakistani authorities have detained multiple family members, including children as young as eight months, placing them in holding camps for deportation. Rayan avoided capture by hiding in a hotel bathroom with his wife and infant.
This crisis stems from a February 2022 UK data breach that exposed nearly 19,000 Afghans who applied for relocation through the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). The family had applied shortly after the Taliban’s 2021 takeover and received Ministry of Defence endorsement last year, but remained stranded in Islamabad awaiting final processing since October 2024.
Rayan expressed terror that deportation would lead to family executions, citing his father’s association with Western forces. This fear is amplified by the data breach potentially exposing their identities to Taliban networks. A recent UN report titled ‘No safe haven’ contradicts Taliban claims of general amnesty, documenting continued targeting of former coalition affiliates.
Pakistan’s ongoing ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan’ has deported over 1.1 million Afghans since 2023. Interior Minister Talal Chaudry shifted responsibility to the UK, questioning why resettlements take years while expecting Pakistan to show leniency. The UN Refugee Agency urges exemptions for those with protection needs.
Labour MP Calvin Bailey, who served alongside Triples units as an RAF commander, called the situation ‘incredibly upsetting,’ emphasizing the UK’s duty to provide ‘more than minimum protection.’ The Ministry of Defence declined comment on individual cases but reiterated commitment to eligible applicants.
Immediate concerns focus on preventing the family’s deportation while accelerating their ARAP processing. Rayan urgently seeks relocation to a secure Pakistani location. Broader implications question UK data security protocols and resettlement efficiency for at-risk allies.
The case underscores tensions between Pakistan’s immigration enforcement and international protection obligations. With UN estimates suggesting 600,000 post-2021 Afghan arrivals in Pakistan, this incident may influence policy adjustments regarding vulnerable groups awaiting third-country resettlement.