Abandoned In Exile: Afghan Pilots Struggle For Survival In Pakistan

 

The first time Tauheed Khan flew his cargo plane through the skies of Kabul, he was overwhelmed with pride.

“I flew over my childhood home,” he recalled on a quiet morning in Islamabad, Pakistan. “I was so proud, there was so much joy that I can still taste it, still feel it in my heart.”

During the US-led, 20-year war against the Taliban, Afghan Air Force (AAF) pilots played a key role, carrying out strikes that inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces. But that coalition collapsed in August 2021, when foreign troops withdrew and the Taliban swiftly retook control of Afghanistan.

Now, Khan finds himself stranded in Pakistan with his young family, fearing for their lives if they return to Afghanistan, where the very forces he once fought are now in power. With increasing anti-migrant policies in both Washington and Islamabad, time is running out to find a safe haven. A looming March 31 deadline in Pakistan threatens to leave them with no options.

A War That Left Pilots at Risk

The war in Afghanistan, which began after the September 11 attacks, devastated the civilian population. While the US-led intervention initially brought significant changes, including a return to democracy and expanded rights for women, violence and instability persisted.

In the final years of the war, the Afghan military relied heavily on airstrikes. A five-year study published by the United Nations in 2021 revealed that 785 children were killed by US and AAF airstrikes. As the US withdrew, the Afghan government collapsed, allowing the Taliban to sweep back into power. Former Afghan military personnel, especially pilots, became prime targets for retribution.

A Human Rights Watch report highlighted that Afghans affiliated with the former government are at the highest risk under Taliban rule. The United Nations has documented extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and torture of former security forces.

Due to their visibility, many pilots feared targeted revenge attacks. Khan recalled that “eight to ten” of his colleagues were assassinated in explosions and shootings. Another former AAF officer, Khapalwaka, worked in intelligence and surveillance. His role in clearing civilian areas for US drone strikes made him a Taliban target. Forced to move every few months for safety, he now sells wood by the roadside in Pakistan, terrified that Taliban operatives could find him even there.

The Taliban, however, deny that former pilots are at risk. “We don’t have any problem with them,” a spokesperson claimed. “Some of their colleagues have returned and are serving the nation.”

Left in Limbo by the US

Khan followed the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) and, after two years of waiting, finally reached the US embassy for an interview in April 2023. Since then, he has heard nothing.

Recent policy shifts under President Donald Trump have made the situation even more uncertain. Executive orders have suspended the US refugee program and funding for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, leaving at least 2,000 Afghans in limbo.

The possibility of another travel ban also looms, with Afghanistan potentially being included.

A Deadline That Could Mean Deportation

Pakistan has historically hosted millions of Afghan refugees but has taken an increasingly hardline stance. Since October 2023, Islamabad has been cracking down on Afghan refugees. While the government previously tolerated Afghans awaiting resettlement elsewhere, a February 2024 announcement stated that all such individuals must leave by March 31.

That deadline falls on Eid al-Fitr, a time of joy and celebration. But for Afghan pilots like Jawad Ahmed, it marks a moment of despair. A former Black Hawk pilot, Ahmed fears what might happen if he is forced to return to Afghanistan.

“Only death, difficulties, and horrors await us there,” he said.

Ahmed’s family has gone into hiding, adopting new identities. “In their new world, it’s as if I never existed,” he lamented.

A Plea for Help

“You trained us, we stood shoulder to shoulder with you,” Ahmed pleaded. “Now we have no options in Pakistan. For the love of God, get us out of here.”

Many US service members who fought alongside Afghan pilots have attempted to help. One active-duty US Air Force pilot shared their frustration: “When Afghanistan fell, I was inundated with calls for help. Like many others, I did what I could—raising money, writing support letters. But I still fear for them.”

Experts warn that abandoning Afghan allies sends a dangerous message to future partners. Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, noted: “This tells allies in Ukraine, Taiwan, and elsewhere that working with the US is a death sentence once the war ends.”

As Eid approaches, Khan and his group of 27 stranded Afghan pilots and engineers dream of a better future. They long for food to break their fast, education for their children, and a safe place to call home.

“We are scared we will be dragged out,” Khan said. “We are under too much pressure. We don’t know what’s going to happen.”