Afghan Family Faces Deportation Risks After UK Data Breach, Fears Taliban Retaliation

The son of an Afghan man whose details were leaked in a UK data breach has revealed that his family is at risk of deportation from Pakistan. The family, applying for relocation under a UK policy, fears for their safety if sent back to Afghanistan.

An Afghan man, part of a special forces unit that collaborated with British forces in Afghanistan, finds himself in serious jeopardy following a UK data breach that exposed his information. Detained in Pakistan for imminent deportation, the man’s son, who spoke to the BBC under a pseudonym, reported the family's distress, especially regarding the repercussions from the Taliban.

Pakistan has been expelling what officials categorize as "illegal foreign nationals," and amid these actions, the family's case becomes increasingly urgent. According to the son, Rayan, the risk of deportation is heightened due to his father's association with the Afghan Triples, a group that directly aided British military efforts.

Rayan explained the trauma endured by his family, noting that they had applied for the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) in hopes of attaining safety. After their application received endorsement from the Ministry of Defence, they awaited a resolution while facing bright lights of fate in Pakistan, captured in a state of anxiety and uncertainty.

As the authorities detained some family members, it was reported that Rayan managed to escape and was forced into hiding in a hotel, fearing for not just his own safety, but that of his wife and infant son. Documents suggest that the family has waited in limbo since October 2022 for updates on their relocation, a frustrating experience compounded by the leaking of their personal details in February 2022, which has left them vulnerable to Taliban threats.

In the aftermath, British Labour MP Calvin Bailey, who served alongside the Triples during his military career, expressed deep concern for the family and highlighted the UK's responsibility to safeguard those at risk. He urged that behind-the-scenes efforts should be continuously made to facilitate the safe relocation of such families.

The situation is aggravated by Pakistan's ongoing deportation campaign, with over a million individuals returned to Afghanistan since late 2023. While Pakistan maintains that its policies apply to all illegal immigrants, it has been specifically scrutinized for how it handles Afghan refugees, particularly those with documented safety needs.

The UN refugee agency has echoed calls for Pakistan to ensure that Afghan returns are carried out safely and voluntarily, as the plight of countless families in similar situations continues to unfold amid the backdrop of complex political dynamics after the Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan.