WASHINGTON: More than 12,000 Afghan refugees have resettled in the United States and Britain, while thousands more are still waiting in Pakistan for a final approval for relocation, diplomatic sources have told Dawn.

The sources reveal that both the US and the UK are actively considering the resettlement of Afghan nationals, providing a glimmer of hope amid the ongoing crisis.

The US has so far identified 25,351 Afghan nationals for potential settlem­ent, with 4,752 individuals already finding a new home in the country. Bri­t­ain is considering the rese­ttlement of 2,825 Afghan nationals, having already settled 7,934 individuals.

The resettlement initiatives aim to provide safety and stability for Afghan nationals who faced immense challenges in their homeland.

While challenges persist, the progress made in relocating a substantial number of Afghan nationals reflects a collaborative effort by the international community. The ongoing commitment to providing refuge to those in need signals a collective response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

Earlier this month, caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar reassured thousands of Afghans waiting in Pakistan for resettlement in the US that they won’t be deported as part of a government crackdown on undocumented migrants in the country.

An estimated 100,000 escaped after the Afghan Taliban takeover in 2021, and at least 25,000 of them are waiting in Pakistan for clearance to relocate to the US.

Most of them had worked for the American military or government, international organisations and aid agencies, as well as media and human rights groups before the fall of Kabul.

Pakistani authorities said they have received a list with the refugees’ names from US officials.

Last week, Pakistan implemented a controversial exit fee for Afghan refugees seeking resettlement in Western countries, drawing criticism from relevant diplomats and the United Nations. The move, described as “shocking and frustrating”, imposes a fee of around $830 on each individual awaiting departure under various resettlement schemes.

Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, the foreign ministry spokesperson, however, defended the decision, saying these individuals, living in Pakistan for the last two years, are considered immigrants with overstays on their visas and lacking proper documentation.

Ms Baloch urged the countries concerned to expedite visa and approval processes, facilitating the swift departure of these individuals to their intended destinations.

She pointed out that more detailed information was required to process the refugees’ resettlement, as some Western countries provided names without comprehensive details.

Babar Baloch, a spokesperson for the UN High Commission for Refugees, said the agency was working with the Pakistan government to address exit fines and overstay visa fees. The UNHCR advocates for exemptions for refugees from these requirements.

Western diplomats and the UN’s critique of Pakistan’s exit fees underscore the urgency to address the plight of Afghan refugees awaiting resettlement.

As the geopolitical landscape evolves, the fate of the Afghan refugees remains uncertain, caught between complexities of immigration policies, diplomatic negotiations, and the pressing need for humanitarian solutions.

According to a UNHCR report, an estimated 146,240 people are living in Pakistan in a refugee-like situation. About 600,000 Afghans also entered the country since the Taliban takeover in August 2021. A refugee-like situation refers to a category that includes those who are outside their country of origin but have not been granted refugee status yet.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2023