Fitrat denies pursuit of Afghans after UK data leak

 KABUL (Pajhwok): In response to reports of a data leak by the United Kingdom (UK) involving Afghan nationals, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) says that its general amnesty decree ensures the safety of all individuals, and no one has been arrested, killed, or pursued due to their past actions.

In recent days, several British media outlets have reported that the UK Ministry of Defence accidentally disclosed sensitive information about former Afghan collaborators. The leaked documents reportedly contain details on approximately 19,000 Afghans who previously worked with British forces.

The Daily Telegraph claimed that the leak has led to an increase in efforts to locate and track down these individuals within Afghanistan.

Responding to these claims on Thursday, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the IEA, issued a statement rejecting the reports as false and baseless.

He asserted that such rumors are being spread deliberately to intimidate the individuals involved and to create fear among their families.

Fitrat emphasized that the IEA’s supreme leader has issued a general amnesty for all, providing them with full protection. “No one has been arrested, killed, or pursued for their past actions,” he said.

He clarified: “The claim that certain individuals are being targeted following the disclosure of their names is completely inaccurate. The intelligence agencies have no reason to track individuals who have already been granted amnesty. All relevant records about them already exist within the Ministries of Defense, Interior, and Intelligence. We do not rely on documents leaked by the British.”

Fitrat added: “No retaliatory actions are being taken by the Islamic Emirate. No individual or authority has the right to pursue, harass, or harm anyone for their previous affiliations.”

sa