Punjab not given details of Afghans awaiting settlement in US

LAHORE: Confusion persists over the issue of deportation of those Afghans who are awaiting transfer to the US and settlement there for their services for the American forces in Afghanistan. Sources told Jang the US and Punjab Home Department officials had discussed the issue in detail. The sources said the Additional Chief Secretary Home (ACS) explained to the US authorities that only lists of names were provided to the law enforcement agencies. The US officials were told that it was not possible to ascertain the identities of the Afghans merely on the basis of names.

When contacted, ACS Shakeel Mian confirmed that he had given complete details of Afghans residing illegally in Pakistan to the US officials, and sought from them other relevant information including name, parentage, photographs, residential address in Afghanistan and their address in Pakistan. The ACS said the Punjab government has not received the required information so far.

He said that the US authorities are currently reluctant to give the said information. Without this information, any unregistered foreign nationals and immigrants without proper documentation will face arrest and deportation, he added. The US mission in Pakistan has said that it is in close and constant contact with the government of Pakistan regarding the safety of all such people who are waiting to go to America. “Our main concern is the safety of the vulnerable and vulnerable,” the US mission said. It is in the interest of both countries to ensure the safe and effective resettlement of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers. Sources said there are at least 25,000 Afghan nationals in Pakistan who have worked for the US military or government, international organisations, aid agencies, media and human rights groups since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021.