Hundreds of Afghans who risked their lives to work with the UK in Afghanistan and fled the Taliban are now stuck in neighbouring Pakistan as they wait to be relocated to the UK.

Pakistan has begun cracking down on migrants without visas after cross-border tensions rose, leading some to live in fear.

The British Council employed Marzia as an English teacher. Eight months have passed since she applied for a UK visa while heavily pregnant.

She says that her physical and mental health are not good.

We had to live in hiding when the Taliban government took over Afghanistan. Our lives were in danger.”

Several Afghans worked for or with the UK in some capacity before foreign forces withdrew when the Taliban retook power in 2021.

As they wait for news of a new life in the UK, some have been here for months, while others have been here for more than a year. A legal education or employment is not available to them while they wait.

We have changed the names of those who requested anonymity. We heard from many people who were afraid there would be repercussions for their cases or that the Taliban could target them or their families in Afghanistan. Ex-Afghan government soldiers, contractors, and translators who worked for international forces are being granted amnesty by the Taliban government.

Upon arrival in Pakistan, Marzia’s passport was confiscated by the UK authorities and her visa expired.