Afghan Asylum Seekers urge Pakistan’s PM to act as US support letters lose validity and deportation looms

Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan face deportation after March 31 as U.S. support letters become invalid, urging Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif for action.

Reports from Pakistani media indicate that after March 31st, letters of support from the U.S. Embassy for Afghan asylum seekers awaiting transfer to the U.S. will no longer be valid. Without valid visas, these individuals are at risk of forced deportation by Pakistani authorities.

Many Afghan refugees in Pakistan, waiting for relocation to the U.S., now face the threat of forced expulsion by police. These asylum seekers have expressed grave concern in an open letter to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, urging him to reconsider this decision.

The refugees, who worked closely with U.S. forces over the past two decades, fear being detained or killed by the Taliban or allied terror groups if forced to return to Afghanistan. Many are in the final stages of the U.S. refugee or Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) process.

The refugees, acknowledging Pakistan’s longstanding alliance with the U.S., express appreciation for the country’s hospitality toward millions of Afghan citizens. However, they warn that this recent policy change is creating serious humanitarian concerns.

In their letter, they emphasize that the expulsion would directly affect those with confirmed migration pathways to the U.S., including former translators, journalists, and other U.S. allies. They argue that forced deportations would breach international conventions and threaten their safety.

Furthermore, refugees have raised concerns over the high costs and delays in renewing their Afghan citizenship visas in Pakistan. They urge the Pakistani government to extend the visa renewal period and ease the financial burden on those awaiting resettlement.

Some refugees have reported that the visa extension period has been reduced from longer durations; 3 to 6 months to shorter periods. Currently, visa extensions are often limited to one month, with costs reportedly around 100 USD.

The open letter also calls for the immediate halt of forced deportations for those with pending U.S. immigration applications. It asks the Pakistani government to facilitate timely exits for those moving to Western countries without facing hindrances.

These asylum seekers are deeply concerned that Pakistan’s recent policy contradicts its international commitments, including the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Child. This shift could harm Pakistan’s international relations and reputation, especially with the U.S., potentially leading to lasting diplomatic consequences.

Concerns have been raised that the Pakistani government is asking Afghan refugees with citizenship cards and UN or embassy support letters to leave by March 31.

This decision affects refugees holding support letters from the UN and certain Western embassies, requiring them to leave Pakistan by the specified deadline.

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