Two men. Both forced to flee the same terrifying regime. Both finding refuge in the same country.
While they share a common past, they are facing vastly different futures.
Ziaullah Zia, who goes by Zia, and Baqir Alidad are Afghan refugees living in Australia's two biggest cities — Sydney and Melbourne.
Zia fled because the Taliban was targeting teachers. Baqir was targeted because he is Hazara.
But while Zia sees Australia as a chance to reclaim his "lost dreams", Baqir will continue to face barriers because he has little prospect of any kind of permanent visa.
The difference? Zia arrived in Australia in October after the fall of Kabul. Baqir came by boat 10 years ago.
The arrival of new Afghan refugees has prompted renewed calls, including from the Australian Christian Lobby, to end the "cruel" situation for Baqir and thousands of others in his situation.
Finding support and safety in Australia
Back in Afghanistan, Ziaullah Zia was a school principal and human rights activist.
When the Taliban took power that made him a target.
"They started coming up to people and beating and abusing them. And even killing some of them," he said.
"Afghanistan was no longer a place for peaceful living, or a comfortable or prosperous life or a good future."
Wanting to find peace and a future for his wife Nahida and 18-month-old daughter Vida, he sought refuge in Australia, but the journey was not easy.
Zia and his family were in the Panjshir province, north-east of Kabul, when Afghanistan fell. They had a visa for Australia but the phone lines were down and all the roads were closed.
"It was not good, we were all in a bad situation, it was very painful," he said.
"I was with my family in the foothills with lots of other small children. The weather was cold and there was no water to drink or food to eat.
"I had no choice but to cross the slopes by walking. I was able to get to the car in almost seven hours. We were all very tired."
From there he went to Kabul, but he had to get to Pakistan before he could make his way to Australia.
They are now living in a suburban house in Sydney — offered up to them by Melanie Morrison. It belonged to her mother, a passionate refugee advocate, who died late last year.
"It's been wonderful having Zia, Nahida and Vida in the family home," she said.
"We were dealt a pretty good hand. Why wouldn't we want to contribute in any way that we can? To help a beautiful family live in Australia."
In their short time here, the Zia family have found a support network with members of the community teaching them swimming, English and helping them settle in to their new lives.
"I was lucky to get the visas. I am lucky to have this house. Good luck is the reason we are here. And I’m very grateful to the person who allows us to live here," Zia said.
Zia and his family are among the 4,927 refugees that have been evacuated to Australia on humanitarian visas since the fall of Kabul in August. Another 150,000 refugees applied.
The Federal Government has agreed to accept 15,000 over four years. That includes the 5,000, like Zia and his family, who are already here. That is not in addition to Australia's usual refugee intake.
For those who are allowed in, building a new life in Australia will still be an uphill battle — learning a new language, finding a new house and work — but there is a path to permanent residency in Australia.
That is something Baqir Alidad can only dream about.
Refugees turning frustration into action
At the age of 17, Baqir left all of his family and friends behind in Afghanistan and got on a small wooden boat to Australia.
It was the first time he had seen water.
"It was journey that I'll never forget. Imagine putting your life in a small tiny wooden boat in a big ocean. It's 1 per cent chance of surviving," he said.
"It's a risk that no-one will take unless their life is in danger. And there was no other option if you wanted to survive, if you want to save your life and your future."
He arrived on Christmas Island in December 2012. After a few months in detention, he was resettled in Melbourne.
Baqir has now lived in Australia for almost a decade.
He spends his days painting houses or working on a COVID ward at a Melbourne Hospital.
"I felt that we need to give to the community, that they help us, they save us. This is the thing that I'm always thinking. To give back and be a good citizen," he said.
But Baqir is not a citizen, and under the Federal Government's policy, it is likely he never will be.
It's practically impossible to get a loan, he has to get a scholarship or pay international fees to go to university, he can't bring his family here and if he wants to stay, he can never leave. If he has children, they will face the same issues.
"Back in Afghanistan, people probably get killed by bullet, but here, this limbo situation is torturing people," he said.
There are another 4,426 Afghan refugees, who also fled the Taliban, in a similar situation.
'They have contributed': ACL backs calls for change
Baqir and other refugees like him have turned their frustration into action.
Earlier this month he and thousands of refugees converged on the nation's capital, calling on the Federal Government to grant them permanent protection.
"Ten years living in limbo is torturing people. It's enough," Baqir said.
"We want permanent protection for Afghan refugees who are currently living in the community. They are working hard and they need certainty for the future — to build a life and also to help the community."
The Australian Christian Lobby is one group that has thrown its weight behind the cause.
With an election fast approaching, the delegation of leaders met with the Federal Government and Opposition earlier this week to lobby for Afghan refugees like Baqir to be given permanent protection.
"It's really cruel to keep people, who know they will never be able to go back to their country of birth, and yet they will never belong in the country they have settled in," the lobby's Wendy Francis said.
"At least for the people of Afghanistan, remove the TPV [temporary protection visa] restrictions, move them into permanency, many of these people have been here for eight years, they are citizens of our country, they have contributed."
Ms Francis urged the government to change the system.
"It would not take much for Australia to be gracious and kind and to lift that restriction and make these people permanent," she said.
"They are genuine refugees, they cannot return to their country."
They are also calling on the government to accept an additional 15,000 Afghan refugees.
The only concession so far — the government might not count the 5,000 who are already here in its quota of 15,000.
While new Afghan refugees settle in, and others fight for permanency, there are still some stuck in detention — spotlighted during tennis star Novak Djokovic's infamous stay at Melbourne's Park Hotel, which houses 32 refugees and asylum seekers.
Government argues policy has saved lives
In a statement, the Home Affairs Department said it operates a "generous humanitarian program" but its position on "combating people smuggling remains unchanged".
It said people who arrive in Australia by boat will not be allowed to settle here.
It said this policy has successfully "stemmed the flow of illegal maritime ventures" to Australia, disrupting people smuggling and preventing loss of life at sea.
In regards to new Afghan refugees, the Department said it was prioritising Afghans within Australia's humanitarian program.
It said 15,000 places ensured Australia could meet the immediate needs of Afghan citizens, while balancing global resettlement needs.
For Zia, he is looking forward to building a life in Australia and giving back to the country that saved him.
"I am hopeful that in Australia I am able to achieve my lost dreams," Zia said.
"My dream is to be educated and be able to serve my family, my people and the people of Australia."
Baqir's dream is similar, but it will be harder to achieve.
"My hope is that at least one day we get treated the same as everyone else. We get out of this limbo situation that's been too long," Baqir said.
