As the Trump administration in the United States (US) moves forward with its crackdown on illegal immigration, Pakistan’s Foreign Office (FO) has pledged to support any affected Pakistani nationals following the newly signed executive order.
Just days after being sworn in as the 47th US president, Donald Trump has issued a series of executive orders targeting immigration and deportation, aligning with his campaign promises. While many of these orders are being challenged in court, the surge in arrests and deportations has sparked concern among migrants.
Addressing the potential deportation of undocumented Pakistanis in the US, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan, during his weekly press briefing on Thursday, stated that Pakistan and the US remain in communication regarding the issue. However, the exact number of affected Pakistani nationals remains unclear.
He confirmed that the deportations fall under the executive order and assured that the government, through the foreign ministry, would provide assistance to those impacted.
Regarding Afghan nationals stranded in Pakistan due to the suspension of the US resettlement programme, Khan noted that while nearly 80,000 had been relocated to various countries, approximately 40,000 remain in Pakistan.
He acknowledged receiving Trump’s executive order on January 20, which suspended the US Refugee Admission Programme, and expressed optimism that it would soon be reinstated, allowing the remaining Afghan refugees to be resettled as per US commitments.
Additionally, Khan reiterated that Pakistan possesses substantial evidence of terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan, utilizing weapons left behind by US forces for attacks within Pakistan. He urged Kabul to take responsibility and act against these elements.
On the recent boat tragedy in Morocco, Khan stated that the foreign ministry is facilitating the repatriation of 22 Pakistani survivors. He confirmed that these individuals are being returned to Pakistan in phases following thorough investigations, with the first group having already arrived in Islamabad.
Dismissing speculation about strained Pak-China relations, the FO spokesperson reaffirmed the strong ties between the two nations and reiterated Pakistan’s steadfast commitment to the One-China policy.
Furthermore, he condemned India’s human rights violations in occupied Kashmir, accusing New Delhi of sponsoring global terrorism. Khan emphasized Pakistan’s firm stance against terrorism in all its forms.