Pakistan has warned the U.S. that it will deport Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement if deadlines are not met. Following President Trump’s suspension of the Afghan resettlement program, Pakistan expressed concern over the slow processing under the Biden administration and the potential indefinite stay of these individuals amid tightened immigration policies. The government is now planning to repatriate all Afghans, irrespective of their legal status, due to strained relations with the Taliban.
Pakistan has officially communicated to the United States its intent to deport all Afghan nationals awaiting resettlement in America if a deadline for their relocation is not adhered to or if their cases are rejected. This notice was delivered through diplomatic channels following President Donald Trump’s executive order that temporarily halted the Afghan refugee settlement program for 90 days.
Many Afghans, who collaborated with the U.S. and allied forces against the Taliban, escaped to Pakistan seeking temporary refuge. Pakistan consented to the U.S. request, allowing these individuals to remain in the country briefly before being relocated. The U.S. and its allies had pledged special immigration visas for these Afghans who served in various capacities.
However, during the Biden administration, the relocation process has been unhurried, causing uncertainties. The prior U.S. administration had promised relocation for eligible Afghans by September 2025, but the current suspension casts doubts on fulfilling this timeline.
Pakistan fears that the stringent immigration policies of the Trump administration may preclude Afghan resettlement indefinitely. Consequently, it has expressed that these individuals cannot remain in Pakistan past September 2025.
While the exact number of Afghans stranded in Pakistan has not been disclosed, estimates range between 15,000 and 25,000. In a recent interview, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated, “If any refugee who was undertaken to be taken by another country after due process—no matter the timeline—if it does not happen and the country refuses, then for us, that will be an illegal immigrant in Pakistan…”
The Pakistani government is also tightening its overall policies toward Afghan refugees, contemplating repatriation of all Afghan nationals present in the country. Initially focusing on undocumented immigrants, the government now aims to extend these measures to all Afghans, regardless of their legal status, amid deteriorating relations with the Taliban regime.
In conclusion, Pakistan has taken a firm stance regarding Afghan refugees, stating intentions to deport those waiting for resettlement in the U.S. if deadlines are not met. The country’s acceptance of these individuals was based on U.S. pledges, which are now in jeopardy due to changing immigration policies. This situation reflects broader geopolitical tensions as Pakistan tightens its refugee policy against the backdrop of its troubled relations with Afghanistan’s Taliban government.
Original Source: tribune.com.pk
