US State Department and Islamabad collaborate closely for Afghans awaiting US visas
On Tuesday, US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller revealed that Washington is actively engaged in continuous communication with Islamabad regarding the 25,000 Afghans in Pakistan awaiting their US visas.
Miller emphasized the importance of collaborating in good faith with the Government of Pakistan to address any concerns related to the safety of individuals in the US visa pipeline.
The primary focus of the United States is ensuring the safety of vulnerable and at-risk individuals, with a shared interest in the safe and efficient resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers between both countries.
Miller, on behalf of the US government, urged all countries, including Pakistan, to fulfil their obligations in treating refugees and asylum seekers. He also called on Afghanistan’s neighbours to permit entry for Afghans seeking international protection.
“Our key concern is the safety of the vulnerable and at-risk individuals. We believe it is in our countries’ interests to ensure the safe and efficient resettlement of refugees and asylum seekers. And we join all of our partners in urging all countries, including Pakistan, to uphold their respective obligations in the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers and strongly encourage all of Afghanistan’s neighbours to allow entry for Afghans seeking international protection and coordinate with international humanitarian organizations to provide humanitarian assistance,” Miller said.
Simultaneously, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and its humanitarian partners actively provide critical aid at border crossing points between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Responding to the forced return of hundreds of thousands of Afghans, the IOM has reported that nearly 375,000 Afghans have left Pakistan in the past two months, primarily through the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings.
The surge in border crossings is attributed to Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan, which established a November 1 deadline for the “voluntary return” of all undocumented Afghans in Pakistan to their home country.
The IOM-led border consortium delivers essential services such as shelter, water, sanitation, household items, healthcare, protection, nutrition, cash assistance for basic needs, transportation, and food.
The critical aid is a response to the escalating humanitarian situation and aims to address the immediate needs of forcibly returned Afghans.
As the international community continues to grapple with the Afghan refugee crisis, the cooperation between the United States, Pakistan, and humanitarian organizations reflects a shared commitment to ensuring the well-being and safety of those affected by the ongoing challenges in the region.
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