Nasir Mohmand - Awal Noor - Awal Noor was born in 1990, one of five brothers and several sisters. Both his parents died when he was a child. He was largely brought up by his brother, who is only a few years older than him. The children lived a hand-to-mouth existence, every penny earned by any of the siblings was spent on food, and they were constantly searching for ways to avoid starvation. In summer 2006, Awal Noor was working as a goat-herder in Paktika Margha, along the border region of Pakistan and Afghanistan, but he never returned. That winter, a goat-herder with whom he had worked contacted his family, and told them that Awal Noor had been lost after an American aerial bombardment.
The family assumed that their brother had died. It was not until 2008 that they learnt that he was a prisoner in Bagram. After being contacted by the ICRC, the family began communicating with Awal Noor through censored letters sent by the ICRC. Thus far, however, they have been unable to speak to him directly. According to an ex-prisoner, Awal Noor was badly injured at the time of his capture, and had to undergo multiple operations at the prison, but still has not recovered completely. He has suffered solitary confinement for three months just because he tried to recite the Azaan aloud.
Shoaib Ahmed
Shoaib Khan is a citizen of Pakistan and has been detained in Bagram since 2008. Shoaib was born in 1975 and is currently 37 years old. He grew up in Abbottabad and completed his graduate degree there. Soon after, he took over his family business with his brother to relieve their ailing father of his fiscal responsibilities. In 1998, Shoaib married Ansa and now has three children. Early 2008, Shoaib was routinely travelling for work and was not heard from for several months. Towards the end of 2008, Shoaib’s family received information from the ICRC that he was being detained in Bagram.
After knowledge of Shoaib’s capture and detention, his mother - too frail to deal with the loss of her son - soon passed away, and his father has had to go back to work. Shoaib’s family has been able to communicate with him through letters, telephone calls and video chat once every month. Recently, the calls have become less frequent and now take place once every two months. As per usual, if any information concerning Shoaib’s treatment at Bagram is mentioned the phone lines are immediately disconnected.
Umran Khan (Released)
Umran was born in 1979 and is 33 years old. He grew up in a small village in Khyber Agency and has 9 siblings (4 brothers and 5 sisters). One of his brothers is currently living in Saudi Arabia and working as a taxi driver.
Umran studied in school in his village up until grade 8. He was unable to study any further because all government institutions were closed down due to the operations in the area. Unable to go to school, Umran began working since the age of 16, taking odd jobs to make ends meet. He began working as a labourer locally.
In May 2005, his friend in Afghanistan arranged for him to take employment in Afghanistan. However, while crossing the Torkham border Umran was arrested by Afghani police officers, and subsequently transferred to Bagram. Umran’s family were later told that he was “sold” to the Americans by his friend who originally invited him to Afghanistan; both the Afghani police officers and his Afghani friend received a significant sum of US dollars in exchange for Umran.
Umran’s family did not hear from him for 20-30 days, until the ICRC contacted them informing that he was being detained at Bagram. Since then, his family has been able to speak to him through video and telephone calls.
Umran’s family has never been told about his Detainee Review Board hearings; when they are scheduled or what their outcome has been. Umran was repatriated to Pakistan on November 16th 2013.
Mohammed Riaz (Released)
Mohammed Riaz is a 29-year-old man hailing from Barra, Khyber Agency. He has always been an independent spirit and cherishes freedom. He is the youngest male member of his family.
In 2005, after passing his matriculation exams, he travelled to Afghanistan with his friend, Umran Khan. Both he and Umran lived in the same village and they travelled to Afghanistan on holidays for sightseeing. Once in Jalalabad, the car he was travelling in was stopped by the Afghan army. He was travelling with Umran and two other Afghan men. He and Umran were arrested and transferred to US custody. He was taken to Bagram and held for 8 years without charge, trial or access to a lawyer.
He has a family history of mental disorder. Since his detention, Mohammed Riaz’ mental and physical health has severely deteriorated. He has lost much weight and is severely depressed. Mohammad Riaz was repatriated to Pakistan on November 16, 2013.
Amanat Ullah Ali
Amanat Ullah Ali is a 43-year-old Pakistani citizen. He has been detained in Bagram since 2003. He grew up in Jaranawala and has one sister and six brothers. He worked as a businessman, exporting rice to countries in the Middle East.
Amanat is married to Amina and has five children. In 2003, Amanat travelled to Iran for a routine business trip and then went to Iraq for ziaraat. Whilst in Iraq, Amanat disappeared and his family did not hear from him for six months.
In 2004, Amanat’s family received information from the ICRC that he was being detained in Bagram.
The Pakistani government has never contacted Amanat’s family to inform them of his detention at Bagram. In 2011, Amanat’s brother, Abdul Razzaq hand-delivered a letter for the Foreign Secretary, explaining the circumstances of Amanat’s detention, and asking for the Pakistani government to secure his brother’s return.
Abdul has never received a response to this letter. Having repeatedly sought an update from the government, Abdul has been told that no progress has been made.
In November 2011, Abdul received a phone call from the Detainee Review Board at Bagram informing him that they were ready to release Amanat and that Abdul should urge the Pakistani government to repatriate him. Abdul contacted the Pakistani government and was informed that Amanat will be repatriated in 3-4 days. Abdul never heard back from the Pakistani government and Amanat still remains detained at Bagram.
–The writer is a freelance journalist.
                       (Concluded)