Afghans urge Pak to ease visa regime after US changes policy

Afghan refugees on Friday appealed to Pakistan’s premier to ease a visa regime on humanitarian grounds after President Donald Trump paused the US refugee programmes.

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Many Afghans whose visas have either expired or will expire soon fear arrest and deportation. “We don’t know exactly when the pause of the US refugee programme will be lifted, but we request Pakistan to extend our stay for at least six months after the expiry of our visas,” Ahmad Shah, a member of the Afghan USRAP Refugees advocacy group, said.

An estimated 20,000 Afghans are currently waiting in Pakistan to be approved for resettlement in the US via an American government programme.

Refugees approved to travel in coming days have had their travel plans cancelled by Trump.