In a quiet Islamabad neighborhood, the sound of guitar strings fills a modest bedroom where four Afghan girls strum melodies of hope and defiance. Teenage musicians Yasemin, Zakia, Shukriya, and seven-year-old Uzra fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, seeking refuge in Pakistan under the guidance of American musician Lanny Cordola. Now, their dreams of resettlement in the United States are in jeopardy, with shifting political policies threatening to send them back to the oppression they escaped.
The girls learned to play the guitar at Miraculous Love Kids, a Kabul-based music school founded by Cordola in 2016. Under his mentorship, they not only honed their musical talents but also picked up English and gained a sense of empowerment through their art. When the Taliban reclaimed Afghanistan, their world crumbled overnight. The new regime imposed severe restrictions on women, making it dangerous for the girls to even step outside their homes. Cordola, who fled to Islamabad the day the Taliban took over, spent months securing funding and negotiating safe passage for his students. In April 2022, seven of them, including Yasemin, Zakia, Shukriya, and Uzra, made it to Pakistan, with hopes of eventually resettling in the United States.
Three of the seven girls have since been relocated to the US, and the remaining four were scheduled to fly out on February 5, 2025. Medical screenings, vetting, and immigration paperwork were all completed, and their departure seemed imminent. However, Donald Trump’s recent return to office in the United States has upended their plans. One of his first executive orders suspended all refugee programs for 90 days, indefinitely postponing their relocation. “It felt like we had everything in place. Now, it is all new again,” Cordola laments.
As if the US policy shift wasn’t enough, the Pakistani government has announced its own crackdown on Afghan refugees. On March 7, Islamabad declared that all Afghan nationals, regardless of documentation, must leave by June 30. For those awaiting relocation to Western countries, including Yasemin and her friends, the deadline is even more pressing: deportations are set to begin on April 1.
Despite their precarious situation, the girls continue their daily routine of music practice. Their sessions, filled with laughter and camaraderie, provide a temporary escape from their growing fears. Yasemin, the group’s lead guitarist, admires legendary musicians like BB King and Pink Floyd’s David Gilmour. Zakia finds inspiration in Coldplay’s Chris Martin, while Shukriya adores BTS’s RM and American artist Dave Matthews. The youngest, Uzra, is already showing a sharp musical focus despite her age.
Their dedication caught the attention of Grammy-nominated Australian singer Sia, who praised their rendition of her hit song “Unstoppable” in a personal video message. The track, recorded in Islamabad and produced by Pakistani musician Sarmad Ghafoor, became a symbol of resilience for the girls. Released on March 18, the song was filmed in scenic locations across Islamabad, capturing both their talent and their struggle for freedom.
Beyond music, the girls find solace in simple joys, from playing in Islamabad’s parks to indulging in local delicacies like pani puri, daal chawal, and chicken biryani. Yet, uncertainty looms over their future. With April 1 fast approaching, the risk of deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan is terrifyingly real.
Cordola, determined to fight for their safety, continues to appeal to US officials and human rights organizations. “These girls represent something much bigger than just music. They embody the spirit of freedom and the right to self-expression,” he says.
For now, Yasemin, Zakia, Shukriya, and Uzra cling to their guitars and their hope. As the world watches, their fate hangs in the balance, caught between political decisions and their unwavering dream to play music without fear.