Pakistan Issues Deadline for Afghan Refugees' Relocation

Pakistan has issued a deadline of March 31, 2025, for Afghan nationals awaiting relocation to Western countries, including the United States, to leave its territory or face deportation back to Afghanistan. This decision follows the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) under President Trump's administration, which has left many Afghans, including those who worked with U.S. forces, in a precarious situation. Afghan refugees in Pakistan are increasingly at risk as local authorities ramp up deportation efforts, even targeting those with valid residency permits. Reports indicate that approximately 40,000 Afghans remain in Pakistan, with about 15,000 pending U.S. resettlement approval. The Pakistani government has urged Western nations to expedite the processing of refugee applications to prevent a humanitarian crisis. Failure to relocate these individuals by the deadline will result in their forced repatriation to Afghanistan, raising fears of persecution under Taliban rule.