Synopsis
On February 23, Pakistan threatened to deport Afghan nationals awaiting US resettlement if their asylum cases are not processed on time. The situation has worsened for Afghan migrants in Pakistan as authorities ramp up crackdowns and deportations.Key Takeaways
- Pakistan threatens to deport Afghan refugees.
- Thousands await relocation to the US.
- Concern over cases being delayed or rejected.
- Human rights activists face deportation.
- Abusive tactics against Afghan migrants reported.
Islamabad, Feb 23 (NationPress) Maintaining its aggressive approach towards Afghanistan, Pakistan has issued a warning to deport thousands of Afghan individuals who are currently in line for relocation and resettlement in the United States if their asylum cases are either rejected or not processed promptly.
During a recent interview with local media in Turkey, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar stated, "If any refugee who was promised relocation by another country fails to be processed in a timely manner, we will regard them as an illegal immigrant in Pakistan, and we may have to return such individuals to their home nation, Afghanistan." This was reported by the US media outlet Voice of America.
Last month, US President Donald Trump enacted an order that halted the US Refugee Admissions Program until refugee admissions align with the interests of the United States, as outlined in an executive order from the White House.
Yet, Afghanistan has not issued a response to Ishaq Dar’s recent comments.
In another development, the Pakistani Government is planning to deport human rights activists, including members of the Afghan Women Justice Movement, such as Zahra Mousavi, who is currently under police custody in Islamabad. Despite ongoing warnings from human rights organizations, Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on Afghan refugees, apprehending them from their homes and streets under various justifications, according to reports from Afghan's Amu TV.
Earlier reports in Afghan media have highlighted the severe conditions faced by Afghan migrants, particularly women and children, as they are being detained by police across various Pakistani cities and forcibly returned to Afghanistan.
The Afghan embassy in Pakistan recently reported that nearly 800 Afghan citizens were arrested in Islamabad. Sardar Ahmad Shakeeb, the Acting Ambassador of Afghanistan to Pakistan, indicated that Afghan individuals were detained despite having valid visas and residency documents.
For decades, Afghan migrants fleeing conflict and war have sought refuge in Pakistan. Following the Taliban's return to power in 2021, millions of Afghans have sought asylum in Pakistan due to fears of persecution. As of 2023, the situation for these migrants has worsened, with Pakistani authorities employing abusive strategies and mass deportations.
