Blome praises Pakistan for extending Afghans’ stay

ISLAMABAD: The United States has commended Pakistan for allowing Afghan refugees registered with the United Nations to stay on its soil for another year.

Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees since Soviet invasion of their country in 1979, with a surge in arrivals after the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021.

Last year, Pakistani authorities launched a crackdown on undocumented refugees, leading to the return of around 600,000 Afghans.

With the expiration of Proof of Registration cards issued by the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees in June this year, 1.5 million cardholders faced deportation. However, UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi intervened, urging Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to extend their stay.

Mr Shehbaz took the matter to the Pakistani cabinet, which agreed to prolong the refugees’ stay until June 30, 2025.

The development came up for discussion as US Ambassador Donald Blome met Minister of States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam in his office here on Thursday.

The envoy thanked the Pakistani government for “extending the validity of refugee Proof of Registration cards, positive actions taken to address protection concerns, and the continued cooperation to facilitate the safe, efficient resettlement of eligible Afghans to the United States,” according to spokesman for the US Mission in Islamabad Jonathan Lalley in a statement.

Mr Blome also expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s longstanding tradition of hosting Afghan refugees and reaffirmed his country’s commitment to collaborating with Pakistan in supporting both Afghan refugees and the local communities hosting them.