Inside the secret mission to bring Afghanistan's last female politicians to Canada

They left their country for the last time in the dark of the early morning. Women and children crammed into a van. Heads covered, their faces masked so they didn't attract attention at Taliban checkpoints.

Former female politicians in Afghanistan, the women in the vehicle face an extraordinary threat from within their own country. Now that it's again under Taliban control, women's rights are dwindling; as recently as August, the regime introduced new rules banning women from showing their bare faces and speaking in public.

«The day which we were waiting for the last one-and-a-half years, today it's happened,» said Nilofer as she and her colleagues prepare to finally leave the country where they are now a target of the regime.

«Unfortunately, no one is safe here.»

Nilofer and Hasna, pseudonyms CBC is using to protect family members left in Afghanistan, are huddled in the van. They drive through the mountainous region that separates their home from Pakistan, silent as they pass through checkpoint after checkpoint, hours stretching into one long day.

'Why is it taking so long?'

When they reach the border, it's getting dark again. But Nilofer said there was hope after clearing the first hurdle.

On that day, they were en route to Islamabad and hoping it would be a short stay — just until their security clearance went through and they were allowed to come to Canada. They weren't going alone. Both had family members with them and were ready to start a new life.

But nearly a year later, some of the women in that car are still refugees in Pakistan and could be deported due to expired visas. This, despite a coalition of six Canadian members of parliament — from all five parties — who have been working together since fall 2022 to