Desperate Afghan Interpreters Trapped in Pakistan Face Uncertain Future
An Afghan interpreter who once worked with the Canadian military finds himself trapped in an Islamabad hotel room with his wife and five children, as they wait for Canada’s promised help that has been delayed for over a year. The family, with no official immigration status in Pakistan, is unable to send their children to school and spends most of their time inside the room, trying to entertain themselves but often succumbing to tears.
This dire situation has become a reality for many Afghan interpreters and their families who fled their homeland following the Taliban’s seizure of power two years ago. As potential targets for reprisal by the new regime, returning to Afghanistan is not an option. Compounding their distress, their Pakistani visas have expired, leaving them in fear of deportation and confined to their living quarters.
Western governments, including Canada, had offered resettlement to interpreters and others who had worked for their diplomatic and military missions in Afghanistan. However, despite the Canadian government’s announcement of a special resettlement program in July 2021, many eligible Afghans remain stuck in limbo.
To date, Canada has brought 36,130 Afghans to the country, with a commitment to relocate at least 40,000 individuals. Yet, there are still numerous Afghans in Pakistan who have completed all necessary steps for travel to Canada but continue to wait for their opportunity. Many of them are residing in hotels or guesthouses run by the International Organization for Migration, while others struggle to survive without housing and food as they have not been formally invited to apply for resettlement.
The mental health toll of this prolonged transition is taking its toll on families, who were meant to be brought to Canada to escape harm and build better lives. However, being left in a state of uncertainty for two years only further traumatizes and stresses them, especially the children who have been deprived of an education during this time.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has requested understanding regarding the fluctuating processing times for resettlement applications, citing the need for background checks and medical examinations as potential delays. However, for those still waiting, it is a humanitarian crisis that requires urgent attention.
Fida Hussain, another former interpreter living in Pakistan, echoes the sentiment that interpreters feel neglected by Canada’s immigration bureaucracy. He believes that individuals with weaker connections to Canada are being prioritized over those who played essential roles in supporting the government’s mission in Afghanistan. The emotional toll is evident as Hussain reveals the toll it has taken on his mental well-being and the desperate questions his children ask about their uncertain future.
While some Afghans continue to hope for Canada’s intervention, others in Pakistan have not received any communication from the Canadian government and have been left with nowhere to turn. Without proper documentation and living conditions, they face hunger, sickness, and a bleak future.
The plight of these Afghan interpreters and their families highlights the urgent need for timely action and support from the Canadian government. As their lives hang in the balance, it is crucial that promises made are fulfilled, allowing them to find safety and rebuild their lives in Canada. The clock is ticking, and their well-being cannot withstand further delays or indifference in providing them with the security they so desperately seek.
