'Serious questions' over UK secret Afghan relocations: PM
Ministers in the UK's last Conservative government have "serious questions to answer" over a secret resettlement plan for thousands of Afghans after a data breach endangered their lives, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Wednesday.
Parliamentary Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said the affair raised significant constitutional issues" after it emerged that the previous government had obtained a court order banning media coverage and preventing any scrutiny by parliament.
Thousands of Afghans who worked with the UK and their families have been brought to Britain under the programme following the leak.
But the 2022 breach and the resettlement plan to protect those involved from potential repercussions only came to light on Tuesday after a court super-gag was lifted.
Defence Minister John Healey told parliament a UK official had accidentally leaked a spreadsheet containing the names and details of almost 19,000 Afghans who had asked to be relocated to Britain.
It happened in February 2022, just six months after Taliban fighters seized Kabul, he said.
In parliament Wednesday, Starmer said his government supported the principle of fulfilling "our obligations to Afghans who served alongside British forces" in the post 9/11 conflict in the South Asian country.
Healey had "set out the full extent of the failings that we inherited: a major data breach, a superinjunction, a secret route that has already cost hundreds of millions of pounds", he added.
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Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Afghan women, trapped between recognition & repression
By Abdur Razzaq | Abdur Razzaq is a Peshawar-based radio and print journalist. He tweets @TheAbdurRazzaq All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the writer facebook twitter whatsup linkded email Zarghuna Safai*, a 20-year-old resident of Kabul, was a second-semester student at a local medical institute when the Taliban barred women and girls from studying in medical training centres across Afghanistan. She had enrolled to pursue a diploma in midwifery, a profession she chose with a clear goal: to serve Afghan communities, particularly women and children, who are increasingly vulnerable in a country grappling with a deteriorating healthcare system. 'The rates of maternal and infant mortality are alarmingly high,' she said, 'and without skilled female medical professionals, those numbers will only continue to rise.' But her ambitions were abruptly cut short when the Taliban's Ministry of Health ordered all medical institutions to shut their doors to female students. Safai recalls the day the news broke and how quickly her dreams unravelled. 'When the institute closed to women, I and many of my classmates felt hopeless. Some of us are now struggling with mental health issues, constantly worried about our future, which feels more uncertain than ever,' she said. This ban was formalised in December 2024, when the Taliban government officially prohibited women's enrolment in medical training programs such as midwifery, nursing, dentistry and medical laboratory sciences. The move added another layer to a string of systematic restrictions aimed at erasing women from public life in Afghanistan. These developments come at a time when the Taliban are seeking international legitimacy. In a controversial diplomatic move, Russia became the first country to officially recognise the Taliban government. Breaking the diplomatic ranks On July 3, 2025, the Russian state-owned news agency TASS reported that Moscow had formally recognised the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan — the name the Taliban use for their regime. That same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko accepted the diplomatic credentials of Gul Hassan, the Taliban's newly appointed ambassador to Russia. The decision sparked widespread outrage among Afghan women both inside the country and in the diaspora. Many view it as a betrayal of justice and a step that could embolden the Taliban to further tighten their grip on Afghan society, especially its women. Talking about the diplomatic development, Shinkai Karokhail, a veteran Afghan women's rights activist currently based in Canada, expressed deep concern over the consequences of Russia's recognition. 'The Taliban are already politically isolated on the global stage. For them, this recognition is a major diplomatic victory,' she said. 'But for Afghan women, who are already living under extreme restrictions, it is a devastating blow.' Karokhail believes Russia's move could have a ripple effect across the region. 'After Moscow, other regional powers might be tempted to follow suit and establish formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban, ignoring the regime's repressive policies and human rights violations,' she warned. She also pointed out the potential economic fallout. 'Many Western countries that provide humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan — including aid for education, health, agriculture, and food security — may now reconsider or reduce their support,' she said. 'Russia and China, even if they increase their engagement, do not have the capacity to replace this aid. The Afghan people will suffer, especially women and children.' The international community has so far withheld recognition of the Taliban regime due to its failure to form an inclusive government, its systematic repression of women, and its continued violation of international human rights obligations. Russia's move has broken the international consensus and weakened the leverage the global community had in pressuring the Taliban to change. The Taliban regime remains unrecognised by the [wider] international community because of its non-inclusive governance, severe restrictions on women's rights and the ban on girls' education,' Karokhail emphasised. 'By officially legitimising the Taliban, Russia has broken that global consensus, posing yet another threat to the future of Afghan women,' the veteran women's rights activist lamented. Seeds of a long-term crisis Since the Taliban's return to power on August 15, 2021, following the withdrawal of United States and NATO forces, the regime has steadily rolled back women's rights. In September 2021, girls were barred from attending school beyond the sixth grade. Later, universities were declared off-limits to women, followed by a ban on female employment in both public institutions and NGOs. The Taliban have justified these bans by citing their interpretation of Islamic law, a claim widely disputed by Islamic scholars across the Muslim world. The consequences of these policies extend far beyond gender discrimination. A United Nations report estimates that the economic cost of excluding women from the workforce is approximately $1 billion annually, nearly five per cent of Afghanistan's total GDP. The country now ranks 177th out of 177 on the Georgetown Institute's Women, Peace and Security Index, making it the worst place in the world to be a woman. For Afghan women like Shamla Niazai, a journalist now living in exile, Russia's decision is especially heartbreaking. 'By refusing to recognise their government, the international community was applying pressure on the Taliban to safeguard the rights of women and to allow them access to education and employment,' she said. 'That pressure gave hope to Afghan women. A hope that has now been shattered by Russia's decision.' Niazai warned that the long-term effects of bans on girls' and women's education would be catastrophic for public health. 'If these bans continue, Afghanistan will not have enough trained female doctors, nurses, or paramedics. That means more women and children will die from preventable causes,' she said. She also raised concerns about forced migration. 'Many families, even those with limited means, will try to leave the country so their daughters can get an education. If the Taliban will not change their policies, people will leave — not just for opportunity, but for survival.' Silenced, unemployed The media landscape in Afghanistan has also been deeply impacted. After the fall of Kabul, many independent news outlets either shut down or drastically scaled back their operations. Female journalists have been among the worst hit. Mujda Azizi, a Kabul-based reporter, lost her job soon after the Taliban takeover due to funding cuts and the regime's repressive media policies. 'It wasn't just a job for me. It was how I supported my entire family,' she said. 'Now, only a handful of women remain in media organisations, and most of us cannot find work.' Her experience is echoed by others. Kashmala Ahmadzai*, another journalist still living in Afghanistan, said women's mobility has been severely curtailed. 'Under the previous government, we could go shopping, visit tourist spots or go to beauty salons. That's all gone now,' she said. 'We're confined to our homes. Our public existence is vanishing.' According to the Afghan Independent Journalists Union (AIJU), 255 of the country's 665 media outlets have closed since August 2021. This has left over 7,000 media professionals unemployed, including more than 2,000 women. A 2024 survey by the AIJU found that around 4,808 media professionals are still working in Afghanistan — including 744 women — but under increasingly difficult conditions. Despite the emergence of 40 new media outlets under the Taliban, most are subject to intense censorship, financial limitations and restrictive cultural policies. Ahmadzai also noted that since the Taliban banned girls' education, cases of early-age marriages have risen across the country. 'These are girls who should be in school, developing their minds and dreams. Instead, they're being married off — and that will have a lasting impact on their mental health and their future.' A wider shift in the making? On July 4, just one day after Russia announced its recognition of the Taliban, the Chinese government publicly welcomed the decision. Observers believe this may be the start of a broader shift in regional diplomacy. Sher Hasan, a Moscow-based Afghan political analyst, said that Russia has maintained informal relations with the Taliban for years. 'Even when United States and NATO troops were stationed in Afghanistan, Russia kept its channels open,' he said. 'Moscow viewed Western presence in the region as a security threat — one that could escalate drug trafficking and militant activity in its neighbouring states.' Now, as both Russia and the Taliban face international sanctions, Hasan believes they are seeking to strengthen bilateral ties as a strategy to mitigate shared vulnerabilities. 'They see mutual benefit, especially in combating drug trade and cross-border militancy,' he said. The elusiveness of wider acceptance However, recognition by a few regional powers is unlikely to prompt widespread acceptance. 'Unless Western nations — particularly the United States — change their stance, Pakistan and many others are unlikely to move toward recognition,' Hasan added. Karokhail echoed this point, urging regional actors to remember their international responsibilities. 'Yes, countries have national interests,' she said. 'But they have also signed human rights conventions and treaties. They have a legal and moral obligation to ensure that Afghanistan doesn't become a black hole for human dignity.' For their part, the Taliban insist that girls' education in Afghanistan is a domestic matter and that human rights are being upheld under 'Sharia and national law'. In public statements, the regime has claimed that the media is free and that women's rights are being protected — assertions widely contradicted by reports from inside the country. As Afghan women face increasing restrictions, loss of livelihoods, and isolation from the world, many continue to speak out at great personal risk, hoping their voices will still reach those in power. *Names have been changed to ensure safety of sources
Express Tribune
8 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Afghan refugees risk billions in losses
Afghan refugees arrive from Pakistan at the border in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province on December 3, 2023. PHOTO: AFP Listen to article As the status of over one million Afghan citizens holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards hangs in the balance after expiry of their stay limit last month, the refugees are worried about economic losses due to possible disposal of their assets in haste that they built in the past five decades. Although there is slow implementation of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, the refugees are concerned that they may be forced to sell their valuable assets at throwaway prices in case the validity of their cards is not extended further. Due to security and economic considerations, the Pakistani authorities decided to repatriate all illegal foreign immigrants in November 2023. Pakistan has so far repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghans and still there are about 1.6 million staying back, according to the data compiled by a United Nations entity. These include over one million refugees who have PoR cards but these documents expired on June 30, 2025. The government is considering two options, either giving a temporary extension or offering these PoR card holders a long-term visa, according to officials dealing with the subject. So far, no decision has been taken to extend the PoR cards but the government is working on a new visa policy for foreigners, said Chaudhry Talal, the Minister of State for Interior, while talking to The Express Tribune. The matter to give an extension had also been discussed in the federal cabinet but no decision was taken. Talal said that the new visa policy would offer incentives for foreign investment in Pakistan and the Afghan citizens can also take advantage of that. Beyond Boundaries, an initiative of the Centre for Research and Security Studies, has been working for the resolution of the Afghan refugees' issue. It is advocating a permanent solution to the problem so that the refugees who came to Pakistan after 1979 are not forced to sell their assets at discounted prices and these people can also positively contribute to the local economy. Only Dostokhail tribe people are holding approximately Rs52 billion in assets in Peshawar in the shape of movable and immovable properties in others' names, said Ahmad Shah, a trader from the tribe. Affluent Afghans should not be deported, as it is mutually beneficial for them as well as for Pakistan, said Ahmad Shah. Shah claimed that they are not allowed to own assets and cannot open bank accounts. But the central bank authorities said that thousands of PoR card holders were having bank accounts. Shah said that his tribe also contributed over Rs14 billion or $51 million in foreign remittances last year. These remittances are sent by the tribe members working in Europe, Canada, and the United States, he added. "Our family does not have any criminal record, and we are traders doing business in black tea, tyres, and batteries," said Ahmad Shah. "My children are born in Pakistan and they do not want to go back to Afghanistan," said Shah, who is worried about selling off his benami assets at throwaway prices if the government finally decides to repatriate all Afghan refugees. "We are traders because we do not have permanent residence status and cannot legally invest in Pakistan," said Mohammad Bakhtiar, another member from the Dostokhail tribe. However, for Pakistani authorities, $51 million in remittances is not much compared to the cost that they believe the Pakistani economy was paying due to the presence of Afghan refugees. The cost is in the shape of the role of Afghan refugees in illegal trade of currency and smuggling of goods under the Afghan Transit Trade Agreement. In the last fiscal year, Pakistan received a record $38.2 billion in foreign remittances that helped post a current account surplus of $2.1 billion. But there are questions on the sustainability of these remittances due to the federal government's decision to freeze subsidies for remittances. It has also reduced the benefits on foreign remittances, but a decision remains pending on who would foot the bill. Building foreign exchange reserves is the responsibility of the central bank, thus, it should be funding the scheme, Finance Secretary Imdadullah Bosal told the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance this week. Bosal said that the federal government did not have funds to continue the Pakistan Remittances Initiative scheme. The secretary said that the finance ministry was working with the central bank to find a solution, as no money is kept in the new budget. "As against Rs89 billion budgeted allocation in the last fiscal year, the finance ministry received nearly Rs200 billion claims from the central bank ... that is quite a substantial chunk," said Bosal. He said one of the options was for the central bank to deduct the cost upfront from the profits it transfers to the federal government. However, the challenge is that it would still be treated as part of the primary expenses. After multiple rounds of background discussions, Beyond Boundaries has recommended streamlining visa processes for traders of Afghan origin and granting them residency, enabling them to invest in Pakistan.
Business Recorder
14 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Clashes rage in Druze region as Syria struggles to enforce ceasefire
DAMASCUS: Sectarian clashes escalated in Syria's predominantly Druze region of Sweida on Saturday, with machinegun fire and mortar shelling ringing out after days of bloodshed as the Islamist-led government struggled to implement a ceasefire. Reuters reporters heard gunfire from inside the city of Sweida and saw shells land in nearby villages. There were no immediate, confirmed reports of casualties. The government had said security forces were deploying in the southern region to try to keep peace, and urged all parties to stop fighting after nearly a week of factional bloodshed in which hundreds have been killed. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based monitoring group, said clashes since last week around Sweida had killed at least 940 people. Reuters could not independently verify the toll. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said 'Arab and American' mediation had helped restore calm, before the clashes escalated. He criticised Israel for airstrikes during the week. The fighting is the latest challenge to the control of Sharaa's Islamist-dominated government, which took over after rebels toppled autocratic president Bashar al-Assad in December. It started last week as clashes between the Druze - a religious minority native to southern Syria, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and parts of Lebanon and Jordan - and Syrian Bedouin tribes. Government forces then arrived to try to quell tensions, clashing with Druze gunmen and attacking the Druze community. Saturday's violence once again pitted Druze against Bedouin, witnesses said. The fighting has drawn in neighbouring Israel, which carried out airstrikes in southern Syria and on the Defence Ministry in Damascus this week while government forces were fighting with the Druze. Israel says it is protecting the Druze, who also form a significant minority in Israel. But Israel and Washington differ over Syria. The US supports a centralised Syria under Sharaa's government, which has pledged to rule for all citizens, while Israel says the government is dominated by jihadists and a danger to minorities. In March, Syria's military was involved in mass killings of members of the Alawite minority, to which much of Assad's elite belonged. In a statement on Saturday, the Syrian presidency announced an immediate ceasefire and urged an immediate end to hostilities. The interior ministry said internal forces had begun deploying. Sharaa said Syria would not be a 'testing ground for partition, secession, or sectarian incitement'. 'The Israeli intervention pushed the country into a dangerous phase that threatened its stability,' he said in a televised speech. Sharaa appeared to blame Druze gunmen for the latest clashes, accusing them of revenge attacks against Bedouins. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Sharaa was siding with the perpetrators. 'In al-Shara's Syria, it is very dangerous to be a member of a minority — Kurd, Druze, Alawite, or Christian,' he posted on X. US envoy Tom Barrack announced on Friday that Syria and Israel had agreed to a ceasefire. Barrack, who is both US ambassador to Turkey and Washington's Syria envoy, urged Druze, Bedouins and Sunnis, together with other minorities, to 'build a new and united Syrian identity'. Israel has attacked Syrian military facilities in the seven months since Assad fell, and says it wants areas of southern Syria near its border to remain demilitarised. On Friday, an Israeli official said Israel had agreed to allow Syrian forces limited access to Sweida for two days. Mansour Namour, a resident of a village near Sweida city, said mortar shells were still landing near his home on Saturday afternoon, and that at least 22 people had been wounded. A doctor in Sweida said a local hospital was full of bodies and wounded people from days of violence. 'All the injuries are from bombs, some people with their chests wounded. There are also injuries to limbs from shrapnel,' said Omar Obeid, director of the hospital.
