Pakistan, US at odds over Afghan migrants’ list

Islamabad and Washington have been at odds over the list of Afghans the US shared with Pakistan with a request not to deport them as authorities here have termed the information as “flawed and incomplete.”

The United States shared a list of 25,000 Afghans with a request not to deport them as they might face retribution as Pakistan launched a drive against all foreigners living in the country illegally after the expiry of the deadline.

The 25,000 Afghans, who moved to Pakistan after the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021, had worked for the US or its contractors during its military campaign in the war-torn country.

These individuals are eligible for special visas and asylum to the US as their association with the US-led foreign forces could lead them into trouble at the hands of the Afghan Taliban government.

However, Pakistan found the US list ‘flawed and incomplete’ as it did not provide the full details. A senior official while requesting anonymity told The Express Tribune on Thursday that the US list even contained names of those who were not Afghan nationals.

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The list also did not include the complete details of the Afghan nationals, according to the official, adding that in some cases the US simply shared the names randomly with no further details or any identities.

After Pakistan’s objections, the US is said to have agreed to share the revised list.

At the weekly news briefing, foreign office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the illegal foreigners repatriation plan concerns individuals who were currently in Pakistan in violation of our immigration laws.

“These are individuals who have overstayed their visas or do not possess valid documents for their continued stay in Pakistan. It applies to all foreigners residing illegally in Pakistan, irrespective of their nationality and country of origin. It does not apply to individuals who have confirmed refugee status in Pakistan,” she explained.

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Regarding the list shared by the US, the spokesperson said Pakistan engaged with a number of countries, including the United States, with respect to Afghan individuals who were to be resettled in third countries.

“These consultations continue and Pakistan has impressed on these governments to expedite their visas and approval processes so that they can leave for their destinations without further delay,” she stressed.

She further said in some cases the lists provided by these countries were under discussion between the two sides.

“It is important to note that the inclusion of an individual's name in these lists does not necessarily mean that these countries have agreed to issue visa to that individual. That is why Pakistan is in contact with these countries to ensure expedited decisions in terms of their settlement to third countries,” according to the spokesperson.