Afghans Linked To UK Govt Projects, British Council In Hiding, Beg To Save Their Lives From Taliban: Report

Dozens of Afghans who worked for the British Council and the British government projects have been left pleading to be rescued. They are living in fear and are in hiding. A report in The Guardian says that they have been left out from the refugee visa scheme for people who helped the UK mission in Afghanistan. While some are in hiding, others are said to be desperate to escape.

The takeover of Afghanistan by Taliban has left these Afghans fearing for their lives. The Afghan Relocation And Assistance Policy -- a fast track resettlement scheme for people who are under the Taliban threat for their links with the UK -- is reportedly run by the ministry of defence.

It is open to those Afghans who have worked for the embassy and the military. The Taliban has reportedly targeted Afghans with broader links to the western efforts pursued in the country so far. While the US has a widened visa programme for the Afghans, the UK is said to be lagging in its efforts.

There are areas where the Taliban are reportedly going door to door looking for people with links to the UK. There are employees who reportedly cannot be contacted after areas where their homes are located fell to the Taliban.

The British Council promotes British education and British culture. It was closely linked with the embassy in Kabul, was a venue for some UK cultural events, and was attacked in 2011.