The United Nations refugee and migration agencies have expressed their concern over Pakistan's recent decision to deport thousands of Afghan refugees who were awaiting relocation to the United States and other countries. The UNHCR and the International Organization for Migration issued a joint statement seeking clarification from Pakistan, which announced its intention to deport the refugees back to Afghanistan if their relocation cases were not processed promptly by the receiving countries.
Approximately 20,000 Afghans had been approved for resettlement in the U.S. under a program designed to assist individuals at risk due to their work with American government entities, media organizations, aid agencies, and human rights groups. These individuals had sought refuge in Pakistan following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 but found themselves in a state of uncertainty after the U.S. refugee programs were paused by former President Donald Trump.
