Pakistan Issues Warning on Afghan Refugees Awaiting US Relocation
Pakistan has warned the US that it will deport Afghan refugees if relocation deadlines are not met. Thousands of Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan have experienced significant delays in the relocation process, especially under the Biden administration. Amid heightened tensions with the Taliban and a tightening of immigration policies, Pakistan’s government plans to repatriate all Afghan refugees regardless of their legal status, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
Pakistan has formally notified the United States of its intention to deport Afghan refugees awaiting relocation if the set deadline is not honored. This communication follows President Donald Trump’s executive order that halted the Afghan refugee settlement program for 90 days. Thousands of Afghans, who previously aided the US and allied forces in Afghanistan, sought refuge in Pakistan while awaiting their immigration process.
Pakistan has agreed to temporarily host these individuals until they can travel to the US or other destinations. Despite this, the relocation process has faced significant delays under the Biden administration, thwarting efforts to meet a prior commitment to relocate all eligible Afghans by September 2025. With the recent suspension of the program, there are concerns that many Afghans may never reach the US, prompting Pakistan to set a clear deadline for their stay.
Although the exact number of stranded Afghans in Pakistan remains unspecified, estimates suggest that between 15,000 and 25,000 individuals are affected. In a recent interview, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar reiterated Pakistan’s plan to repatriate refugees if they are not relocated on a timely basis. “If any refugee who was undertaken to be taken by another country after due process – no matter the timeline – if it doesn’t happen and the country refuses, then for us, that will be an illegal immigrant in Pakistan,” stated Dar.
The Pakistani government is committed to tightening its policy towards Afghan refugees and is considering an extensive repatriation campaign impacting all Afghans, legal status notwithstanding. This initiative, initially aimed at undocumented Afghans, reflects Pakistan’s strained relations with the current Taliban-led regime.
In summary, Pakistan has communicated its readiness to deport Afghan refugees waiting for resettlement in the US if relocation deadlines are unmet. The country is tightening its policies regarding Afghan refugees due to increasing tensions with the Taliban and concerns about the slow immigration process. The potential repatriation of these individuals reflects the ongoing complexities of the Afghan resettlement situation amid changing US policies.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk