KABUL: The reopening of the passport office in Kabul on Wednesday gave several Afghans who felt threatened under the rule of Taliban hoping they would probably immediately escape from the country.
Hundreds of people flocked to the department to submit a travel document in the New Afghan government commitment exam to the international community to allow people who eligible to leave.
“I tried to escape,” said Mohammad Hanif, who said he was a translator for US special forces in the south of the country from 2009 to 2013.
Like many Afghans who worked for us and allied forces following the 2001 invasion, Hanif was afraid the Taliban would reply Revenge if they find it, so desperate to escape.
“I have stress now,” Hanif said in English.
“Because I also live in Helmand Province – it’s very dangerous.” The 32-year-old was among those who went to the passport office in Kabul when opened for the first time since the Taliban seized power in mid-August.
One day the Taliban had announced that all staff – including female employees – have been asked to return to their office when the new government tries to start the infrastructure that reaches in the country.
Hanif said he first filed his passport four months ago, but only managed to complete the application on Wednesday and would collect documents in a few days.
The former translator said he had a special immigrant visa (SIV) for the United States and planned to move there with his wife and two children.
He said he was first trying to leave Afghanistan during a chaotic US-led evacuation operation in August, but could not enter Kabul airport.
“When the Taliban took over the country, especially the capital, everyone tried to go to the airport,” he told AFP outside the passport office, gripping the documents.
“I got an email and phone call from my mentor also to get my ass to the airport, so I went there.” There are many people, many people.
I can’t succeed.
“Since then, Hanif told AFP that he was being hunted in Helmand Province by the Taliban who accused him of stealing weapons and vehicles from the government.” Come here I got a call …
and they got a call …
and they got a call …
and they tried to catch me, “he said.” They called me directly to return it.
I told them that I didn’t take anything.
I am not in the government.
I am a translator.
“Until he managed to take a flight, Hanif said he was” desperate “.” I can’t move.
I live in Kabul, because the people here don’t know me.
That’s why I’m here.
“Taliban have tried to get government employees back to work, but civil servants have gone for salary months.
Head of the Passport Department, Gul Haqqani, said the passport office staff was being paid and separated.
The office has been created for women and men according to Taliban’s view of Islamic law.
“There is no problem,” he said.
“Both female and male employees returned to work.” Haqqani, who said the office was able to spend around 6,000 passports a day, to AFP “the big mass of people flocked for passports It won’t cause any negative effects “.
Meanwhile, sixth passenger flights left Kabul Airport to Doha on Wednesday, said a senior Qatar official had more than 300 passengers including Afghan journalists and citizens from countries around the world.