ISLAMABAD — On Friday, Afghan refugees made a heartfelt request to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, asking for an easing of the visa regulations on humanitarian grounds in light of the United States pausing its refugee admission programs. These refugees, many of whom either have expired visas or are nearing expiration, are worried about the potential for arrest and deportation.
Ahmad Shah, a representative from the Afghan USRAP Refugees advocacy group, expressed their concerns, stating, “We don’t know when the suspension of the U.S. refugee program will be lifted, but we kindly ask Pakistan to allow us to remain for at least six months after our visas expire.” Currently, an estimated 20,000 Afghans are in Pakistan, awaiting approval for resettlement in the U.S. through a governmental program meant for their protection.
Many who have been approved for travel to the United States and were set to relocate shortly have found their plans abruptly canceled due to recent U.S. policy changes. This affects over 1,600 Afghans who were already cleared for relocation. As of now, Pakistan claims it has not received any official updates from the United States regarding the suspension of the program, which had initially intended for the relocation of these individuals by September 2025.
This program was initiated to assist Afghans who faced danger under Taliban rule due to their affiliations with U.S. government entities, media, humanitarian organizations, and human rights bodies. Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 when the Taliban regained control, the current situation has worsened significantly.
In the early days of President Trump’s administration, the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program was put on hold as of January 27 for a minimum of three months. Shah highlighted the dire circumstances many Afghans face while they await their relocation, saying, “We don’t desire to live here indefinitely. We urge Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to instruct authorities for a six-month extension of Afghan visas.”
Additionally, he called on the United Nations Refugee Agency and the International Organization for Migration to intervene on behalf of Afghans in limbo. “If the UNHCR and IOM do not help us in this critical time, who else will advocate for us?” Shah implored.
The atmosphere among Afghan refugees is one of uncertainty regarding their lives and futures. A group of Afghan women gathered in Islamabad, armed with placards, and voiced their concerns as they pleaded for the restoration of the refugee program and for Pakistan to ease restrictions on their status. Saanga Bibi, a widow, shared her plight, stating, “We have no choice but to seek refuge in the United States. We have lost everything here. We appeal to Trump for assistance during these trying times, as we struggle to survive.”
Another woman, Bibi Habiba, underscored the financial burden of costly visa fees, requesting Pakistan to lower these exorbitant charges, “We want nothing beyond this.”
The advocacy group highlighted that many Afghans risked their lives while serving as interpreters, contractors, and human rights defenders in support of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. They warned that returning to Afghanistan means facing persecution as the Taliban considers them enemies. “This suspension contradicts the commitments made to those who supported the United States,” the group asserted.
Sarfraz Ahmed, a journalist who escaped to Pakistan after the Taliban took power, expressed his disappointment upon realizing that his anticipated travel confirmation call would never come due to the current suspension. Meanwhile, Khalid Khan, a former Afghan army officer who aided U.S. forces in their operations against the Taliban, stated that a return to Afghanistan would pose significant danger to him and his family.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Pakistan has stated there is a bilateral agreement with the U.S. for resettling Afghan nationals currently in Pakistan by September 2025. Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan, during a news briefing in Islamabad, revealed that they have not received any new information regarding the evolving circumstances.
The United Nations has reported that around 1.4 million Afghan girls have been deprived of their right to education due to ongoing bans, marking Afghanistan as the only country globally where female secondary and higher education is prohibited.
