I call this meeting to order. Welcome to meeting number 13 of the House of Commons Special Committee on Afghanistan, created pursuant to the order of the House of December 8, 2021.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021.
I would like to remind all those present in the room to please follow the recommendations from the public health authorities, as well as the directive of the Board of Internal Economy of October 19, 2021, to remain healthy and safe.
Should any technical challenges arise, please advise me, as we may need to suspend for a few minutes to ensure that all members are able to participate fully.
Witnesses should be aware that interpretation is available through the globe icon at the bottom of your screen. Could you please take a moment to select the channel of your choice, either the floor, English or French, so that as members ask questions, time is not taken to fix that issue. I hope we are good with this.
I would like to welcome our witnesses here with us for this panel, and thank you all for coming on short notice.
I see there are four independent witnesses. They will have five minutes each for remarks, and please do respect the time. We are very short timewise because it's Friday, and many of the members have noted that they have constituency work lined up at their door, so we want to make sure that we are able to get the maximum output out of this.
First, we'll have five minutes for each of the witnesses, and then we'll go with one round of six minutes each. Please, members, also respect the time as well.
With us an individuals we have former interpreters with the Canadian Armed Forces, Masood Matin Hotak and Mohammed Zarif Mayar. Here supporting Mr. Hotak and Mr. Mayar is Tara Sawchuk. Thank you for coming.
Also with us today from Landings LLP is Warda Shazadi Meighen, partner, and from the Rainbow Railroad, Dr. Kimahli Powell, executive director.
You have five minutes each, so let me start with the former interpreter, Masood Matin Hotak.
Please go ahead.
Mr. Hotak, are you there?
Can everyone hear me? We're waiting for Mr. Hotak.
Let me move on then. If he's not responding, we will go to Mr. Mohammed Zarif Mayar.
Please go ahead for five minutes.