As the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, over 44,000 Afghans approved for relocation to Western nations remain stuck in limbo in Pakistan, according to the Foreign Office. Following the chaotic evacuation of over 120,000 people, mostly Afghans, from Kabul in August 2021, many more have fled Taliban rule, with promises of new lives in Western countries.
With 25,000 Afghans approved for relocation to the US, 9,000 to Australia, 6,000 to Canada, 3,000 to Germany, and 1,000 to Britain, efforts are being made to expedite their relocation. Many of these individuals fear reprisals from the Taliban due to their involvement in the ousted government.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has highlighted the burden on Pakistan for hosting a large refugee population and called for global responsibility. While Pakistan has allowed registered Afghan refugees to stay for another year, efforts continue to repatriate undocumented Afghans due to strained relations with Kabul.
With over 600,000 Afghans seeking refuge in Pakistan since the Taliban’s takeover, the ongoing humanitarian crisis requires urgent international attention and support.