Pakistan has threatened to deport Afghan refugees awaiting U.S. resettlement if their cases remain unprocessed by March 31. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar emphasized the potential designation of unprocessed refugees as illegal immigrants, signaling considerable urgency. Amid a crackdown on undocumented migrants, approximately 40,000 Afghans still await relocation, following the halt of U.S. refugee applications by President Trump.

Pakistan has issued a stern warning regarding the deportation of Afghan nationals awaiting relocation to the United States. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated during a recent television interview that if timely processing of these cases does not occur, individuals whose applications are rejected may be forcibly sent back to Afghanistan. This warning comes in light of the U.S. commitment to relocating a portion of the Afghan community from Pakistan by September of this year.

Minister Dar articulated, “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…” This highlights Pakistan’s stance that unprocessed refugees could be viewed as illegal immigrants, prompting potential deportations.

The Minister further emphasized Islamabad’s readiness to work with Washington to find a resolution. Recently, U.S. President Donald Trump halted the processing of refugee applications to align entries with national interests, thereby stranding approximately 45,000 Afghans ready for relocation, along with 15,000 others currently in Pakistan, according to AfghanEvac.

These Afghan individuals, previously connected with U.S. and NATO operations, fled Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s recent takeover. While 80,000 Afghans have been relocated, around 40,000 remain in precarious situations, including the 15,000 in Pakistan specifically awaiting relocation to the U.S.

Since implementing a crackdown on undocumented migrants in September 2023, Pakistan has deported over 825,000 Afghan refugees. The government’s intensified efforts are targeting both documented and undocumented individuals within the borders. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mandated the removal of all Afghans from Islamabad by February 28, including a nationwide target exceeding 2.5 million individuals, both lawful and unauthorized alike.

Furthermore, Sharif has set a March 31 deadline for the United States and other countries to finalize the processing of Afghan cases in order to prevent further deportations to Afghanistan.

In summary, Pakistan has signaled a potential deportation of Afghan refugees should their resettlement cases remain unresolved by March 31. The country’s Foreign Minister warns that without cooperation from the U.S., these individuals might be regarded as illegal immigrants, prompting their return to Afghanistan. This precarious situation underscores the urgent need for timely processing of refugee applications amid heightened crackdowns on undocumented immigrants in Pakistan.

Original Source: www.voanews.com

Related posts:

Pakistan Intensifies Arrests of Afghan Refugees Amid Deportation Concerns Moscow Proposes Saudi Arabia and UAE for Trump-Putin Meeting U.S.-Russia Dialogue on Ukraine Peace Involves Controversial Claims and Diplomatic Renewal Saudi Arabia Facilitates U.S.-Russia Discussions on Ukraine Amid Regional Tension