LONDON: Afghan families waiting in Pakistan hotels for relocation to the UK have been cautioned by the Foreign Office to remain indoors as authorities initiate a crackdown on refugees.
The British High Commission (BHC) has issued a warning to those currently residing in hotels in Islamabad, who have been promised evacuation to the UK by Rishi Sunak. They have been advised to avoid venturing outside due to the heightened risk of arrest and deportation.
These Afghan families have been waiting for several months to be relocated to the UK. Consequently, some of their Pakistan visas have expired, rendering them undocumented.
Foreign Office officials have been engaging with the Pakistan government in efforts to secure protection for those awaiting relocation. However, the UK government has chartered only one flight to transport these families to the UK, and a few have also been moved on commercial flights.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s government has initiated the process of rounding up undocumented refugees, predominantly consisting of Afghans. As a result, thousands of individuals have started crossing the border into Afghanistan after being displaced from their residences.
