Pakistan, US discuss Afghan Deportation Plan

A high-ranking official from the US Administration specializing in refugees and migration, Julieta Valls Noyes, engaged in talks with Pakistan foreign secretary, Cyrus Qazi, and the country special representative for Afghanistan, Ambassador Asif Durrani, as reported by The Express Tribune on Tuesday.

Although the foreign office did not release an official statement, Noyes shared news of her meeting with Ambassador Durrani on X along with an image, accompanied by a brief statement expressing, "Good to visit Pakistan Foreign Ministry and see special representative for Afghanistan Asif Durrani again today (Tuesday) for discussion on Afghan refugees, protection, and resettlement."

Embarking on a four-day visit to Pakistan, the US official commenced a series of meetings at the foreign office on Tuesday, marking the first of three Biden administration officials scheduled to visit Pakistan in the coming days.

The Express Tribune outlined in its report that during her stay, Noyes plans to meet with various senior officials, signaling Washington intent to find a resolution for Afghan individuals stranded in Pakistan and eligible for migration to the US.

Following the expiration of the deadline on October 31, Pakistan initiated a crackdown against Afghan residents living in the country illegally. The report from The Express Tribune indicated that since this decision, the US has been in constant communication with Pakistan, aiming to ensure that Afghans eligible for immigration to the US are exempted from deportation.

Approximately 25,000 Afghans, who worked for the US during its military campaign in Afghanistan, are currently in Pakistan awaiting the completion of their immigration process. With the US withdrawal, these individuals have found themselves in a limbo situation.

The US has actively collaborated with Pakistan to devise a viable solution, preventing the deportation of Afghan immigrants and expressing particular concern for vulnerable groups, including musicians, artists, and journalists.

Pakistani officials have assured that cases would be examined on an individual basis, emphasizing that, in the initial phase, those without legal status would be subject to repatriation.

US Special Representative for Afghanistan, Tom West, is expected to arrive in Islamabad later in the week to delve into the broader Afghan situation, focusing on the current relationship between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, as reported by the daily.