Afghan man reunited with family after four years

An Afghan man has said he has "no words to express how thankful" he is after being reunited with his wife and children after nearly four years apart.

Muhammad Khan has been living in the south of England since 2021 after being resettled in the UK following his help to British troops in his home country.

His family escaped to neighbouring Pakistan where they lived in constant fear of deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

Mr Khan's family arrived in the UK earlier this month following a lengthy campaign by Oxford-based charity Asylum Welcome and MP Olly Glover.

The father-of-two thanked the pair for their "tireless efforts and unwavering support".

"Their dedication and advocacy made a significant difference in our lives, and we are forever grateful for their kindness - we have no words to express how thankful we are," he said.

"...we can now build a new life together — free from fear and uncertainty, and with good education for our kids."

He previously told the BBC he had assisted UK forces to source accommodation before Kabul fell to the Taliban in August 2021, something he believed would make him and his family "enemies" of the current regime.

His family was among those who became separated due to the speed and chaotic circumstances surrounding the evacuation of Afghanistan.

Last year, the 31-year-old engineer applied for the government's Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) for separated families.

"We are all celebrating Muhammad's family reunion, but it should never have taken so long," Dr Hari Reed, the joint CEO of Asylum Welcome, said.

MP Mr Glover added: "I am extremely relieved that Mr Khan and his family are now together and are safe.

"Being left in limbo waiting for the Home Office to process their application... has been unimaginably stressful for my constituent and his family."

It comes weeks after the government officially closed its two main resettlement pathways for Afghans - with no replacement in place.

The Home Office previously said it did not routinely comment on individual cases, but added that it was "working at pace" to process referrals.

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