‘Kabul has changed’: Afghan Canadian’s family stranded under Taliban rule

EDMONTON (CityNews) ─ An Afghan Canadian who recently returned to Afghanistan says he’s trapped there and fearing for his family’s safety.

Edmonton’s Noorull Wahab says he returned to his native country six months ago to process his family’s citizenship. Now he does not know how they will make it out of the country safely.

“The face of Kabul has changed,” Wahab told CityNews Friday morning by phone.

“Kabul has a different face, different people, different guns. They walk around, just shoot people.”

Wahab is staying with family in Kabul after being released from hospital following a car accident. He says the streets in Afghanistan’s capital city are dangerous.

“They are driving on the road and they are not watching for the people, they are in accidents a lot of them. Kids, women. I actually saw a woman in the hospital, kids, other people also,” he said.

Wahab says the citizenship application process for his family was moving along. But when the Taliban took control of the region, it came a stop.

To make matters worse, Wahab says he has no access to money, ATMs or wire transfers. Without a passport, his family cannot get to the airport.

Immigration officials are working remotely from Ottawa and throughout the Middle East to process applications for Afghans trying to flee to Canada.

“There are so many people out the door of the airport, waiting to get in,” Wahab said.

There is a lot of fear and uncertainty among Afghans, especially among women and children. Wahab says many are wondering what will happen next.

“People are wondering, if they work at the hospital, who’s gonna pay them. If they are a teacher, who’s gonna pay them?”

Back in Canada, several I the community are fearing for their loved ones overseas.

A rally is planned at the Alberta legislature next Saturday to show support and call for action to help those in Afghanistan.

Rally organizer Tassala Attai, whose family left Afghanistan 20 years ago, says she feels a duty to help those back home.

“We were one of the lucky ones who made it out I still have family back home,” said Attai.

“My cousin is my age and has a baby, imagine having a child in that situation. And they want the best life for their kids the same way my parents wanted the best life for me. But it’s at a standstill.”