ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to repatriate thousands of Afghan nationals who are currently residing in Pakistan while awaiting resettlement in the United States.
According to official sources, a total of 19,973 Afghan citizens who were hoping to relocate to the US will be sent back to Afghanistan. The process of returning these individuals to their home country is expected to begin soon.
Sources said that thousands of Afghan nationals have been living in Pakistan for an extended period, waiting for relocation to the United States. In light of delays and policy decisions, the government has now opted to initiate their repatriation.
The Federal Ministry of Interior has decided to formally inform all provinces regarding the return of Afghan nationals. Letters will be sent to provincial chief secretaries, police inspectors general, as well as authorities in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Chief Commissioner of Islamabad will also be officially notified.
Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, the United States evacuated thousands of Afghans who had worked with US forces and institutions.
Many of them feared retaliation by the new Afghan government and were temporarily relocated to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, while awaiting permanent resettlement.
However, with resettlement processes stalled for a significant number of individuals, Pakistan has now moved to send nearly 20,000 Afghan nationals back to Afghanistan as part of this latest decision.
