Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and United States Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome recently met in Islamabad to discuss various bilateral issues, with a focus on the protection of Afghan refugees and asylum seekers in Pakistan. The meeting covered topics such as economic cooperation, security, counterterrorism, and regional cooperation, as well as Pakistan’s upcoming term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Last year, Pakistan initiated a process of repatriating illegal Afghan refugees, with over 675,190 Afghans returning to their country by August 2024. Despite plans for a second round of repatriation, 1.45 million Afghan refugees were granted an extension to stay in Pakistan until June 2025.
The discussion between Dar and Blome also included enhancing bilateral cooperation in various fields. Pakistan’s election as a non-permanent member of the UNSC further underlines its commitment to addressing global challenges. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is set to participate in the UN General Assembly session in September, focusing on issues like the Gaza crisis and bilateral meetings with world leaders.