Donald Blome, the US ambassador in Islamabad, and Amir Muqam, Pakistan’s Minister for States and Frontier Regions, expressed their commitment to work together with the international community to develop a sustainable solution for the Afghan refugee crisis.
The two sides also emphasized the need for creating favorable conditions in Afghanistan to facilitate the repatriation of Afghan refugees.
According to a report by Radio Pakistan, Muqam also called for an expansion of U.S. aid to support the communities in Pakistan that are hosting Afghan refugees.
The discussions during the meeting covered a range of topics, including the overall welfare of Afghan refugees and avenues for enhancing bilateral cooperation between the two countries.
Ambassador Blome commended Pakistan for its longstanding role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees, acknowledging the country’s significant humanitarian efforts.
The meeting comes at a time when Pakistan, according to the United Nations, has deported around 600,000 undocumented Afghan migrants since November 2023. The deportations follow a policy implemented by Pakistan’s interim government, led by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
Reports from Taliban-run media indicate that the deportation of Afghan migrant families from Pakistan continues daily, highlighting the urgency of finding a durable solution to the refugee crisis.
