January 22, 2025
2 mins read

Trump’s Order Strands Thousands of Afghans

Sources in the Pakistan government have also expressed serious concerns over the latest development….reports Asian Lite News

US President Donald Trump’s executive order to suspend the refugee program has raised serious doubts about the future of thousands of Afghans living in Pakistan, who fled Taliban-controlled Afghanistan years ago and have been waiting to resettle in the United States.

The US refugee programme, that would have eventually resettled in the US over 25,000 Afghan nationals currently residing in Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan, was quashed by Trump on Monday, his very first day in office.

As per the agreement between Pakistan government and the Biden administration, it was agreed between the two countries that over 25,000 Afghans – most of them having served and worked with the US military and its contractors before Taliban’s takeover in August 2021 – would later be resettled in the US.

Islamabad was initially expecting that the agreement would be for a temporary stay of Afghan nationals in the country. However, no progress was made on it for the last three-and-a-half years.

“The Biden administration had assured Pakistan that the Afghans would be resettled through initiatives like the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) and the US Refugee Admission Programme (USRAP). But now, after Trump’s executive order, the entire process has been disrupted,” said senior strategic analyst Kamran Yousaf.

President Donald Trump talks on the phone aboard Air Force One during a flight to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Official White House Photo by Shealah Craighead)

It has also been reported that visas of at least 1,660 Afghans, cleared by the US government to resettle in the US along with their families, have been suspended and they are left with no option but to stay put in Pakistan.

“This is happening immediately after Trump’s order suspending the US refugee programme,” said an official.

Washington’s decision has now put the fate of these Afghan nationals in Pakistan in jeopardy.

“These unfortunate Afghans are now faced with multiple problems and severe issues. They are in Pakistan, a country that is repatriating illegal Afghans back to their home country. In Afghanistan, these people are at risk of being arrested and killed because the Afghan Taliban are against all those who had worked with the US forces before August 2021,” said Syed Liaqat Banori, Chairman, Society for Human Rights and Prisoners Aid (SHARP).

Sources in the Pakistan government have also expressed serious concerns over the latest development.

“We knew that this refugee programme could come under scanner once President Trump takes charge but the fastidious manner with which the new administration has acted has come as a big surprise,” said an official.

ALSO READ: Bangladesh on Trump’s Radar

Previous Story

Tom Blyth to Star in Claire Denis’ ‘The Cry of the Guards’

Next Story

‘Conclave’: Edward Berger’s Gripping Tale of Power, Faith, and Intrigue

Latest from -Top News

‘Kill and Dump’ Haunts Balochistan Again

The latest killings have reignited accusations of extrajudicial executions and the use of counterterrorism laws to cover up custodial deaths in Balochistan….reports Asian Lite News Concerns have deepened across Balochistan following the

‘ASEAN Expands, But Keeps Its Soul’

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan urged ASEAN to uphold its unity and strategic resolve amid intensifying geopolitical tensions and mounting external pressures…reports Asian Lite News Consensus and inclusivity will remain the cornerstones

Bangladesh bends to beat Trump’s blow

Dhaka seeks compromise as Trump’s 35% tariff looms large over key exports; Washington urges worker protections, factory relocation to US…reports Asian Lite News Bangladesh has opened the second round of critical trade

China seethes as US lands F-35s in PH

As US F-35 jets land in the Philippines for the first time, Manila cements its frontline role in Washington’s power play against rising China….reports Asian Lite News The Philippines is rapidly cementing
Go toTop

Don't Miss

PML-N leader claims Imran has two offshore firms

While interacting with the media in Narowal on Sunday, Iqbal

Modi, India represent lynchpin in Biden’s Asia strategy  

As he welcomed Modi to the White House earlier in