Afghan refugees in Pakistan, who are waiting for resettlement to the United States, have urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to urgently stop the deportation of Afghan nationals and streamline the visa extension process for refugees.
In an open letter to the prime minister, which was also posted on social media, a group of Afghan refugees awaiting US resettlement requested the prime minister to immediately halt the deportation of Afghans who have pending or approved visa applications for the United States or have been accepted into the US Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).
Pakistan has set March 31 as the deadline for all Afghan refugees to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Those with Afghan Citizen Cards are required to leave by March 31, while those holding Proof of Registration from UNHCR can stay in Pakistan until June 30.
The letter also calls for simplifying the exit permit process to ensure that Afghan refugees, who have immigration pathways to third countries and are ready to depart, can leave without any obstacles.
According to the letter, the decision to deport Afghans will particularly affect Special Immigration Visa (SIV) applicants, individuals with referrals to USRAP, and Humanitarian Parole applicants, all of whom are in the process of legal immigration to the United States.
The letter emphasizes that many Afghan nationals in Pakistan are in the final stages of rigorous vetting processes and are awaiting approval for US visas or refugee status. Sending them back to Afghanistan “contradicts humanitarian principles and international agreements to which Pakistan is a signatory.”
“At a minimum, we hope to see an exemption from detention or deportation for Afghans with pending or approved immigration applications to the United States,” the letter further added.
It also highlighted issues with the visa extension process, stating that Afghan nationals in Pakistan are facing difficulties due to high costs and delays, with some refugees reporting a shift from longer visa extensions (3 or 6 months) to shorter ones, often limited to one month at a cost of $100 or Rs 20,000.
“Visa extension procedures can be slow and uncertain, leading to additional complications. There are overstay charges without condonation and a 50% surcharge for those under 18,” the letter noted.
The refugees urged the prime minister to recognize that deporting vulnerable individuals violates international obligations, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “Time is of the essence; lives are at stake, and the international community is watching,” they warned.
The letter concluded by urging the prime minister to act promptly and with compassion, offering to engage in discussions to strengthen cooperation with the Pakistani government.