The US embassy has reportedly provided letters to over 25,000 Afghan nationals currently residing in Pakistan, who are in the process of relocation and resettlement in the United States. However, the situation has become increasingly complex as Pakistani authorities have raised objections regarding the list of individuals provided by the US.
The crisis unfolded when Pakistan initiated the detention of illegal Afghan refugees in holding centers after the voluntary departure deadline to Afghanistan expired on November 1, as reported by Dawn. These Afghan nationals, many of whom had worked with the US and feared retribution from the Taliban, found themselves caught between the policies of both countries.
US officials have reached out to Pakistani authorities, seeking to address the issue and ensure the safety of these Afghan individuals. They believe that the letters from the US embassy would serve as a guarantee to allow these Afghan nationals to reside in Pakistan without the risk of arrest and deportation.
According to US embassy spokesperson Jonathan Lalley, “Our key concern is the safety of vulnerable and at-risk individuals.” Lalley emphasized that it is in the interest of both countries to ensure the safe and efficient resettlement of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. The US embassy has shared the list of Afghan nationals under the process of resettlement and relocation with the Pakistani government.
Despite these efforts, Afghan nationals in Pakistan could still face the possibility of deportation, as the Pakistani government has refused to attribute any legal validity to the letters issued by the US embassy. An official from the Pakistani Interior Ministry expressed objections, citing missing information and the inclusion of non-Afghan individuals in the list.
In response to these concerns, the US embassy has committed to providing an updated list. However, the embassy explained that the initial information was not shared due to privacy and security reasons.
Pakistan has also accused the US of delaying the resettlement process over the past two years. They believe that the US had ample time to process these cases for resettlement but is now seeking to further delay the matter.
The process of resettlement is expected to take between 18 months to two years, leaving these individuals in a state of uncertainty during this time. The US government is exploring options to expand its refugee and immigrant visa processing capacity in Pakistan while calling for the establishment of a screening mechanism and providing information hotlines for Afghan nationals in English, Dari, and Pashto languages.
The US remains committed to processing eligible Afghans for immigration to or resettlement in the United States. They are actively monitoring the situation and continue to engage with the Pakistani government, the UNHCR, and other countries to address the issues surrounding Afghan refugees and asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, more than 6,500 Afghan nationals left Pakistan through the Torkham border, bringing the total number of repatriated Afghans to over 174,350, as per Dawn reports. Afghan nationals began leaving Pakistan after the government set a deadline for unregistered foreign nationals to depart by October 31, with the threat of legal action against those who remained.
Officials reported that voluntary repatriation is ongoing but with a decreasing number of individuals opting to return to Afghanistan.
