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Afghan interpreters plead with UK as Taliban offensive rolls on

According to the RT, the UK has extracted some 3,000 people it employed in Afghanistan, but the relocation program has come under fire as the situation deteriorates. Hundreds are set to have been left behind at the mercy of Islamist militants.
The RT reported two Afghan interpreters, who served British troops during their years-long stay in the war-torn country, talked to Sky News, expressing fear for their own lives and the safety of their families.
It said, both men are former so-called Locally Employed Staff (LES), eligible for Britain’s Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP). As interpreters, in theory, they fall under the “exposed meaningful enabling role” category that has been prioritized for evacuation.
Read more: Afghan journalists who work for British media will relocate to UK
It added, however, both men have been left behind since they were dismissed from the British service for unspecified offences – serious enough to be disqualified from ARAP – but both maintain their innocence.
“In the coming months the Taliban will get me,” N., the father of three children, told the broadcaster via mobile phone. He also shared a photo with his children holding placards reading “Help us UK gov” and “Save our live UK”.
Another former interpreter, W., shared the same sentiment. He communicated with Sky News via email due to a very poor phone signal and the channel’s inability to send reporters to the area for security reasons. In recent days, several provincial capitals fell into the hands of the Taliban, including the country’s fifth-largest city, Kunduz.

“Please kindly bring changes in your policy. Do not leave anyone behind who worked for the British forces,” W. pleaded.
The UK government, however, insists it is doing everything possible for the Afghans who worked for it. British Minister for Immigration Compliance and Justice Chris Philip firmly rejected accusations that “bureaucrats in government” are disregarding human lives.
“As a nation, we are known around the world for our commitment to justice, fairness and sense of duty, especially to those who have stood with us against despicable forces who seek to divide and destabilize,” Philip said in an opinion piece published by The Guardian on Sunday.
The UK has brought in more than 2,800 Afghans under the ARAP programme, including “1,400 arriving over the last few weeks alone.” The government also “made numerous changes in recent weeks to accommodate more brave individuals, opening our schemes up to those who resigned, those who were dismissed for all but serious or criminal offences,” Philip said.
Read more: Taliban takes control of Kunduz, 4th Afghan provincial capital in 3 days
Still, there was no positive news from the minister for N. and W., as they apparently fall under the latter category, which includes at least 415 former LES, according to official figures.
The changes touted by the minister weren’t exactly the sole product of the benevolence of bureaucrats, as a lack of progress in extracting LES has repeatedly come in for criticism from different sides.
The latest jab at the ARAP program came late in July, when dozens of ex-military chiefs sent an open letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, stating they were “gravely concerned” about hundreds of Afghan interpreters who had their ARAP applications rejected.
“Too many of our former interpreters have unnecessarily and unreasonably been rejected… We strongly urge that the policy is reviewed again immediately, to ensure more are given sanctuary,” the letter read.
Source: RT
Image source: Reuters -RT
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BENEFIT AGM approves 10%...
- March 27, 2025
BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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