Pakistan has called on the United States and other Western nations to expedite the resettlement of Afghan refugees who have already been accepted or are awaiting approval. Officials have warned that if these individuals are not relocated by the end of March, they will face deportation.
The Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Monday that the government has decided to enforce the deadline strictly. If Western nations fail to meet their commitments and evacuate thousands of Afghan refugees currently in limbo, authorities will begin removing them from Pakistani territory.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, tens of thousands of Afghans fled to neighboring Pakistan, fearing retribution due to their past affiliations with Western governments or military forces. Many have since been waiting for relocation to third countries, including the U.S. and its allies.
According to a report from the Voice of America’s English service, Pakistan’s cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, convened last week to discuss the status of approximately three million Afghan refugees residing in the country. A document obtained by VOA on Monday outlines directives for implementing a multi-phase plan for the removal of these refugees.
Under this plan, all Afghan refugees currently residing in Islamabad and Rawalpindi who are awaiting resettlement in Western countries must be relocated by the end of March. If the process is not completed by then, they will be expelled from these cities.
Sharif has also instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with diplomatic missions of third countries to ensure the smooth transition of eligible refugees. Failure to do so, officials warned, would result in deportation back to Afghanistan.
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Thousands Still Waiting for Relocation
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, recently stated that approximately 80,000 Afghan refugees have already been resettled in various countries. However, an estimated 40,000 remain in Pakistan, awaiting relocation. Of this group, around 15,000 are awaiting final approval for resettlement in the United States.
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U.S. Policy and Afghan Refugee Uncertainty
The fate of many Afghan refugees hoping to relocate to the U.S. has been thrown into uncertainty due to recent decisions by the administration of President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has temporarily suspended the refugee admissions program for 90 days, citing a need to reassess whether the program aligns with Washington’s national interests.
Meanwhile, AfghanEvac, an organization assisting in the relocation of former Afghan military personnel and other vulnerable groups, has urged the U.S. government to exempt Afghan allies from the broader immigration freeze imposed by the administration’s executive order.
According to AfghanEvac, thousands of Afghan allies and at least 200 families are now stranded in a state of uncertainty due to the policy change.
General Frank McKenzie, former commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), who oversaw the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, has emphasized America’s obligation to these individuals. He described them as “loyal to the U.S.” and expressed hope that the White House would resume its relocation program.
The U.S. Department of Defense has not yet clarified whether it will seek exemptions for these Afghan refugees or explore alternative options for their relocation.
According to AfghanEvac, at least 40,000 Afghans have been affected by the Trump administration’s decision to suspend the refugee resettlement program.
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