Call To Kabul

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

OK caller, you're on the air

20211228

20211227 (R4)

The first programme in this series starts with that call as Paul, a former officer in the Marines, outlines the fight on his hands to help his former interpreter, Naqeeb. The series follows what happens as this dramatic story unfolds, reflecting the fear, confusion and desperation experienced by those trapped in Afghanistan.

Through the bond between Naqeeb and Paul we chart the efforts being made to get the family to safety. The story takes unexpected twists as events develop and throughout it all, Anita is at the end of the phone; documenting what's happening and with Radio 4 listeners playing a crucial role.

Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers want to repay that loyalty and get him, his wife and their six children to safety.

This series documents a bond between Naqeeb and the soldiers which continues to this day. They want him to have the best chances here in the UK; to find him work and to make sure his children are settled. It's a dramatic story, with moments of real bravery, perseverance and friendship.

Through this one family we learn about the emerging situation in Afghanistan and the fears for those left behind.

This isn't a unique story, it has cross-over with so many other experiences, but by telling it in such detail it highlights the terrifying reality faced by those dealing with the consequences of the allied forces withdrawal. It also brings home how bonds forged in life and death situations many years ago can lead to such powerful actions now.

Produced by Sue Mitchell
Presented by Anita Anand

Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.

Safe in the North

20211228

In the second programme Anita spends time with Naqeeb and his family in Manchester. They're safe and grateful, but the future is uncertain and their battle is far from over. Naqeeb knows the Taliban is searching for him: one of his brothers, a surgeon, has already been tortured and killed by men hoping to find and kill him. His other brother, a doctor with the World Health Organisation, has gone into hiding.

Paul, a former officer in the Marines, helps Naqeeb settle into his new life in Manchester, finding school places for the youngest of his six children and talking to eighteen year old Aisha and 19 year old Mohammed, about University applications. They were both embarking on medical degrees in Afghanistan and now have to start again in a country they don't know at all. It is a daunting prospect and it's taking place as they confront fears about friends they've left behind.

Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers want to repay that loyalty and help the family find housing, employment and stability.

Produced by Sue Mitchell
Presented by Anita Anand

Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.

The Story of Three Brothers

20211229

Naqeeb receives confirmation that one of his brothers has been publicly executed in the Kandahar region. The surviving brother, Dr Hijrat Nabee Zada, is a doctor at the World Health Organisation and before the Taliban takeover he was overseeing the polio vaccination programme.

In calls to Anita he describes his new life as he moves between safe houses with his wife, Aziza and their three young children. They are very frightened and know that their only hope is to leave the country. His employers say there's nothing they can do and so it falls on Paul, a former officer int he Marines, to make a plan.

This programme follows the efforts Naqeeb and Paul are making to get his brother to safety. Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist.

Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers wanted to repay that loyalty and an unofficial alliance is formed as they work behind the scenes to plan a way forward

Produced by Sue Mitchell
Presented by Anita Anand

Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.

Escape From The Taliban

20211230

In programme four we join Naqeeb and Paul in the UK as they plan how to help get Hijrat and his family to safety. Gathering intelligence from past and current members of the armed forces helps them decide which border is safest to aim for and how to navigate the Taliban checkpoints on the way.

Hijrat, his wife Aziza and their three children have been moving between safe houses - hours after leaving their latest address the Taliban are hard on their trail. They need to get out of Afghanistan right now.

A friend offers to drive them to the border and they detail how they will hide in the boot of the car at key points and the clothes they will use for disguise once they're there. As they set off they speak of their fear and confusion and also the distress of their children, who are too young to properly understand what's happening and where they're going.

Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers are happy to help Hijrat as he starts this difficult and dangerous journey.

Produced by Sue Mitchell

Presented by Anita Anand

Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.

Crossing Borders

20211231

In programme five we join Naqeeb's brother, Hijrat, as he makes his way to the border: he is about to cross over from Afghanistan to Pakistan but he's doing so illegally, paying to be taken a back route to avoid any possibility that Taliban troops will spot him. We follow him as he does that and back in London Anita is waiting for news and receiving phone updates of his progress.

Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers are helping guide Haijrat on the safest possible route out of the country.

Produced by Sue Mitchell
Presented by Anita Anand

Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	OK caller, you're on the air	20211228	20211227 (R4)	The first programme in this series starts with that call as Paul, a former officer in the Marines, outlines the fight on his hands to help his former interpreter, Naqeeb. The series follows what happens as this dramatic story unfolds, reflecting the fear, confusion and desperation experienced by those trapped in Afghanistan. Through the bond between Naqeeb and Paul we chart the efforts being made to get the family to safety. The story takes unexpected twists as events develop and throughout it all, Anita is at the end of the phone; documenting what's happening and with Radio 4 listeners playing a crucial role. Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers want to repay that loyalty and get him, his wife and their six children to safety. This series documents a bond between Naqeeb and the soldiers which continues to this day. They want him to have the best chances here in the UK; to find him work and to make sure his children are settled. It's a dramatic story, with moments of real bravery, perseverance and friendship. Through this one family we learn about the emerging situation in Afghanistan and the fears for those left behind. This isn't a unique story, it has cross-over with so many other experiences, but by telling it in such detail it highlights the terrifying reality faced by those dealing with the consequences of the allied forces withdrawal. It also brings home how bonds forged in life and death situations many years ago can lead to such powerful actions now. Produced by Sue Mitchell Presented by Anita Anand Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.
02	Safe in the North	20211228		In the second programme Anita spends time with Naqeeb and his family in Manchester. They're safe and grateful, but the future is uncertain and their battle is far from over. Naqeeb knows the Taliban is searching for him: one of his brothers, a surgeon, has already been tortured and killed by men hoping to find and kill him. His other brother, a doctor with the World Health Organisation, has gone into hiding. Paul, a former officer in the Marines, helps Naqeeb settle into his new life in Manchester, finding school places for the youngest of his six children and talking to eighteen year old Aisha and 19 year old Mohammed, about University applications. They were both embarking on medical degrees in Afghanistan and now have to start again in a country they don't know at all. It is a daunting prospect and it's taking place as they confront fears about friends they've left behind. Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers want to repay that loyalty and help the family find housing, employment and stability. This isn't a unique story, it has cross-over with so many other experiences, but by telling it in such detail it highlights the terrifying reality faced by those dealing with the consequences of the allied forces withdrawal. It also brings home how bonds forged in life and death situations many years ago can lead to such powerful actions now. Produced by Sue Mitchell Presented by Anita Anand Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.
03	The Story of Three Brothers	20211229		Naqeeb receives confirmation that one of his brothers has been publicly executed in the Kandahar region. The surviving brother, Dr Hijrat Nabee Zada, is a doctor at the World Health Organisation and before the Taliban takeover he was overseeing the polio vaccination programme. In calls to Anita he describes his new life as he moves between safe houses with his wife, Aziza and their three young children. They are very frightened and know that their only hope is to leave the country. His employers say there's nothing they can do and so it falls on Paul, a former officer int he Marines, to make a plan. This programme follows the efforts Naqeeb and Paul are making to get his brother to safety. Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers wanted to repay that loyalty and an unofficial alliance is formed as they work behind the scenes to plan a way forward Produced by Sue Mitchell Presented by Anita Anand Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.
04	Escape From The Taliban	20211230		In programme four we join Naqeeb and Paul in the UK as they plan how to help get Hijrat and his family to safety. Gathering intelligence from past and current members of the armed forces helps them decide which border is safest to aim for and how to navigate the Taliban checkpoints on the way. Hijrat, his wife Aziza and their three children have been moving between safe houses - hours after leaving their latest address the Taliban are hard on their trail. They need to get out of Afghanistan right now. A friend offers to drive them to the border and they detail how they will hide in the boot of the car at key points and the clothes they will use for disguise once they're there. As they set off they speak of their fear and confusion and also the distress of their children, who are too young to properly understand what's happening and where they're going. Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers are happy to help Hijrat as he starts this difficult and dangerous journey. Produced by Sue Mitchell Presented by Anita Anand Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.
05	Crossing Borders	20211231		In programme five we join Naqeeb's brother, Hijrat, as he makes his way to the border: he is about to cross over from Afghanistan to Pakistan but he's doing so illegally, paying to be taken a back route to avoid any possibility that Taliban troops will spot him. We follow him as he does that and back in London Anita is waiting for news and receiving phone updates of his progress. Exposure on the BBC's Any Answers programme in August was critical in saving Naqeeb's life. The transmission of pleas made by the former officer reached MPs, Government ministers and others able to assist. Eight years earlier the interpreter, Naqeeb, had helped to save eight soldiers from an attack by a suicide bomber. Now those same soldiers are helping guide Haijrat on the safest possible route out of the country. This isn't a unique story, it has cross-over with so many other experiences, but by telling it in such detail it highlights the terrifying reality faced by those dealing with the consequences of the allied forces withdrawal. It also brings home how bonds forged in life and death situations many years ago can lead to such powerful actions now. Produced by Sue Mitchell Presented by Anita Anand Anita Anand tracks an unfolding story of three brothers being hunted by the Taliban.