ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday sought swift visa and approval processes for the Afghan individuals supposed to be relocated and resettled in third countries.

“We are engaged with a number of countries, including the United States, regarding the resettlement of Afghan individuals in third countries. These consultations continue and Pakistan has urged these governments to expedite their visas and approval processes so that they can leave for their destinations without further delay,” Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told a weekly press briefing.

Answering a question, she disclosed that around a dozen countries are involved in this process. Without naming the United States, she said in some cases, the lists provided by these countries were under discussion between the two sides. She stressed that the inclusion of an individual’s name in these lists does not necessarily mean that these countries have agreed to issue visa to that individual.

“That is why Pakistan is in contact with these countries to ensure swift decisions in terms of their settlement to third countries,” she remarked.

FO in talks with several states to resettle migrants in third countries

Ms Baloch said the decision to implement the plan for repatriating illegal foreigners was taken by the government after due consideration and wide consultation, including with inputs from various law enforcement agencies and the relevant departments.

“Since its announcement we have been explaining its various facets to the general public as well as to our friendly countries, including to our brothers in Afghanistan. Our consultations with Afghanistan have continued and the two foreign ministers also discussed it when they met in Tibet a fortnight ago.”

In response to another question, she said: “We have discussed this plan with the Afghan authorities. We have shared with them the details of the plan, the thinking behind it, why we are doing it, and how we are going to do it. Afghanistan government’s concerns have also been discussed and we have tried to explain to them that this policy is not Afghan-specific, it does not pertain to refugees, [but] it pertains to, those who are here illegally. We have also announced that individuals who leave and return to Afghanistan, especially those who left before November 1, are welcome to apply for visas to return to Pakistan legally.”

Responding a question about a recent Taliban government statement alleging severe human rights violations in the repatriations process, she underlined that the process had started only a day before, and prior to that, the individuals left on their own volition.

She stated that the government has issued clear instructions to all levels of law enforcement that all individuals being repatriated should be treated in a humane and respectful manner.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023