A directive by U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to cut the costs of housing Afghan refugees in the United Kingdom is being blamed for trapping 3,250 people in Pakistan — and putting them at risk of deportation back to Taliban rule.
The U.K. government accepted that the Afghans had the right to sanctuary in the U.K. — having worked for the U.K. as part of the U.S.-led coalition that helped topple the Taliban in 2001 — but imposed a new rule that stopped flights after the prime minister’s personal intervention, an email from his office revealed.
That restriction, requiring the refugees to first arrange their own accommodation in the U.K., has now been abandoned after a legal battle in London and a commitment given to help all 3,250 eligible Afghans leave Pakistan in the coming days and weeks.
About the author
Rob Merrick
Rob Merrick is the U.K. Correspondent for Devex, covering FCDO and British aid. He reported on all the key events in British politics of the past 25 years from Westminster, including the financial crash, the Brexit fallout, the "Partygate" scandal, and the departures of Boris Johnson and Liz Truss. Rob has worked for The Independent and the Press Association and is a regular commentator on TV and radio. He can be reached at rob.merrick@devex.com.