ISLAMABAD — Authorities in Pakistan have issued a warning regarding the potential deportation of Afghan refugees who are currently awaiting relocation to another country, citing delays in processing their cases by host nations. This announcement was made by officials on Monday.

Approximately 20,000 Afghans find themselves in uncertain situations in Pakistan as a consequence of U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to halt refugee programs last month. Many of these individuals escaped the resurgence of the Taliban and had initially been approved for resettlement in the United States. They were part of a special program designed to assist those who faced dangers due to their associations with the U.S. government, including media personnel, aid workers, and advocacy groups. However, shortly after taking office, Trump’s administration declared a temporary suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program as of Jan. 27, which would last for at least three months.

Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif conveyed a directive indicating that Afghan refugees could be deported if the countries that committed to resettling them do not expedite their case processing. This information was shared by two security officials, who requested anonymity because they were not authorized to disclose details publicly. They further mentioned that Afghans awaiting relocation would be removed from both Islamabad, the capital city, and nearby Rawalpindi. Pakistan intends to coordinate with various foreign embassies to facilitate the relocation of these individuals; however, those who do not secure resettlement will face repatriation to Afghanistan.

There has been no immediate comment from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Previously, the ministry indicated that Afghan refugees awaiting relocation were expected to leave the country by September.

Currently, Pakistan is host to around 1.45 million Afghan refugees in a legal capacity, and their stay has been extended until June, according to the officials. They emphasized that Pakistan would continue its enforcement efforts against foreigners living in the country without proper documentation.

Since the beginning of 2023, it is estimated that about 800,000 Afghans have returned voluntarily to their home country or have been deported, despite receiving criticism from various entities, including U.N. organizations, human rights advocates, and the Taliban.