August 6, 2021
1 min read

UK PM urged to grant special visas to Afghan staff at risk

Over the last few weeks, the Taliban have captured several districts in Afghanistan including Takhar, the country’s northeastern province…reports Asian Lite News.

A coalition of UK news organisations on Wednesday wrote a letter to UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, demanding to provide special visas to “Afghan staff who have worked for the British media so that they and their families can leave Afghanistan.”

The letter, jointly sent by twenty prominent media outlets, urged to provide special visas to Afghan staff who helped British media in covering the on-ground reality of Afghanistan and are now at risk of persecution by the Taliban, Sputnik news reported.

“With that in mind, we write to you to highlight the urgent need for a special Afghan visa programme for Afghan staff who have worked for the British media so that they and their families can leave Afghanistan and find safety in the United Kingdom,” the letter said.

A week earlier, the US House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill to allot eight thousand more Special Immigration Visas (SIVs) to interpreters, contractors, and other vulnerable Afghans who have worked with the US army in the war-torn country.

The White House also plans to evacuate 750 SIV applicants and their family members who have completed security vetting to Fort Lee military base in Virginia while another four thousand applicants will be relocated to a safe third country where their paperwork will be reviewed.

Taliban (Pic credits ANI)

This comes in wake of the drawdown by foreign troops from the war-torn country.

Over the last few weeks, the Taliban have captured several districts in Afghanistan including Takhar, the country’s northeastern province.

The Taliban seized over 193 district centres and 19 border districts, according to the Afghan Foreign Ministry.

The Taliban have also taken control of 10 border crossing points across the country in Takhar, Kunduz, Badakhshan, Herat, and Farah provinces leading to the complete shutdown of cross-border movements and trade in these areas. (ANI)

ALSO READ-‘Taliban takeover will turn Afghanistan into pariah’

READ MORE-Protest Against Pakistan’s Proxy War in Afghanistan

Previous Story

Lightness of Being Launched by Tanishq

Next Story

In a first, PM to interact with heads of Indian missions abroad

Latest from -Top News

Turkey’s Jet Roars, West Watches

It is visible that Turkey is intentionally reducing reliance on U.S. and Western military imports, especially F-16s and the failed F-35 partnership, to achieve strategic independence….writes Ankit V In 2016, Ankara announced

‘Op Sindoor’ Team Wraps Up Saudi Visit

The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of India and Saudi Arabia in the fight against terrorism….reports Asian Lite News Riyadh, May 30 (IANS) The Indian all-party delegation, led by BJP MP Baijayant

Visa Interview Pause Nearing End, Says US

India is the source country for the largest group of international students in the US and Bruce’s comments will be closely followed there….reports Asian Lite News The United States said the pause

No Talks Till Terror Ends: India to Pakistan

The MEA’s strong response came at a time when Pakistan, pushed on the backfoot by India’s decisive Operation Sindoor, has suddenly started talking about its intent on having peace talks with India….reports

BNP ramps up poll demand

Chief Adviser Yunus had earlier promised elections in December 2025, but the timeline has since been pushed back first to February 2026 and then to June 2026, fuelling suspicion and dissatisfaction among
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Girls’ education in limbo despite Taliban’s promises

It’s a searing reminder of the state of girls’ education

India Donates Vaccines to Afghanistan

The Afghan Ministry of Public Health expressed gratitude towards India