Pakistan threatens to deport Afghans if US relocation timeline isn't met
Pakistan has issued a warning that Afghan nationals awaiting relocation to the United States may be deported to Afghanistan if their cases are rejected or not processed within the agreed timeline.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made this statement during a televised interview aired on Saturday, emphasizing that the U.S. has tentatively planned to relocate these Afghan refugees by September this year. His office in Islamabad later released excerpts from the interview.
"If a refugee was assured relocation by another country but that process is not completed—regardless of the timeline—then such an individual will be considered an illegal immigrant in Pakistan. In that case, we may have no choice but to send them back to their country of origin, which is Afghanistan," Dar stated during his interview with Turkey’s TRT national broadcaster.
Pakistan Open to Diplomatic Negotiations
Despite the firm stance, Pakistan’s foreign minister noted that the government is open to discussions with Washington to find a resolution. "We are closely evaluating the situation and will engage in negotiations accordingly," he added.
The issue comes amid recent U.S. policy changes. Last month, former US President Donald Trump suspended refugee applications and travel plans indefinitely to ensure that the entry of refugees aligns with American national interests.
Thousands of Afghans Stuck in Limbo
According to #AfghanEvac, an organization assisting Afghan refugees in resettlement, around 45,000 Afghans remain stranded in Afghanistan, while at least 15,000 qualified refugees are currently in Pakistan awaiting their relocation process.
Many of these individuals fled Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. They fear retaliation due to their past associations with US and NATO forces during the nearly two-decade-long military presence in the country.
Pakistan’s Crackdown on Undocumented Migrants
Pakistan has been enforcing strict measures against undocumented foreign nationals since September 2023. According to the United Nations, the country has already deported over 825,000 undocumented Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan.
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