Urgent Plight of Afghan Refugee Family Amid UK Data Breach and Imminent Deportation

A family of Afghan refugees, whose information was inadvertently leaked by the UK government, is at severe risk of deportation from Pakistan back to Afghanistan. Their association with the British military puts their lives in jeopardy, amid assurances from the Taliban, which the UN has disputed.

An Afghan man, whose personal information was accidentally revealed in a significant data breach by the UK, finds himself and his family detained in Pakistan, facing imminent deportation, as reported by the BBC. The leaked documents indicate the man served in Afghan special forces units, known as the Triples, that cooperated with British military forces in Afghanistan.

The risk of deportation has intensified as Pakistan attempts to expel foreigners deemed "illegal." The man's son expressed urgent concerns for their safety, articulating fears that returning to Afghanistan would likely result in their execution due to their father's military affiliation with British forces. Despite claims from the Taliban that all citizens can live free from fear, a recent UN report titled "No safe haven" has raised serious doubts regarding the validity of these assurances.

The family had applied for relocation assistance under the UK's Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP)—established to safeguard Afghans who collaborated with British forces—just after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. The family awaited a decision while they were apprehended by Pakistani authorities. Rayan, the son whose name has been changed for safety reasons, recounted taking refuge in a hotel bathroom to avoid detention, while other family members were taken away—a situation he described as terrifying.

Rayan noted that they had faced an agonizing wait in Pakistan, with no clear answers since their biometrics were recorded in October 2024. The increasing uncertainty culminated in the distressing news of potential deportation, amplifying his anxiety.

UK Ministry of Defence representatives refrained from commenting on individual cases but reiterated their commitment to supporting eligible individuals needing relocation. However, the family's predicament is exacerbated by their details being among those leaked from the files of approximately 19,000 Afghans seeking resettlement in the UK, raising alarm about their vulnerability to Taliban reprisals.

Rayan fears the authorities may come to detain him, his wife, and their infant child next. He has actively sought protection from the British High Commission, hoping for relocation to a safer location.

Calvin Bailey, a Labour MP and former RAF commander who has worked closely with the Afghan Triples, expressed deep concern for the family and emphasized the duty to provide them with adequate protection. He voiced hope that despite the lack of public action, the British government is working behind the scenes to assist them.

Pakistan's longstanding history of hosting Afghan refugees is notable, but authorities have shown frustration regarding delays in the resettlement process for these individuals. The country's Interior Minister, Talal Chaudry, questioned the British authorities on their reluctance to act swiftly, pointing out the stranded situation faced by Afghan nationals.

Since the launch of its "Illegal Foreigners' Repatriation Plan," Pakistan claims to have sent over a million individuals back to Afghanistan. The UN estimates roughly three million Afghans currently reside in Pakistan, including 600,000 who moved there following the Taliban's return to power. Half of this population is believed to be undocumented.

The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has called for measures ensuring that any returnees to Afghanistan do so voluntarily and safely, urging Pakistan to exempt those with ongoing protection needs from forced repatriation, particularly amid heightened police activity targeting refugees.