Afghan refugees in Pakistan protest delay in US resettlement

Hundreds of Afghan refugees facing extreme delays in the approval of US visas protested in Pakistan's capital on Sunday, as an American programme to help relocate at-risk Afghans fleeing Taliban rule stalls.

The US government's Priority 1 and Priority 2, known as P1 and P2 refugee programmes were meant to fast track visas for at-risk Afghans including journalists and rights activists after the Taliban takeover in their homeland. Those eligible must have worked for the US government, a US-based media organisation or nongovernmental organisation in Afghanistan, and must be referred by the US-based employer.

Applicants have been waiting in Pakistan for more than one and a half years for US officials to process their visa applications. The delay in approving visas and resettlement has left Afghan applicants in a highly vulnerable position as they contend with economic hardship and lack of access to health, education and other services in Pakistan.

Mohammed Baqir Ahmadi, who said he'd helped to organise the protest outside of the National Press Club in Islamabad, said many of the Afghans present were facing problems in extending visas to wait out the application process in Pakistan.

Protesters said that applicants had yet to receive the preliminary interview necessary to begin the visa application process.

“We, the holders of P1/P2 cases, your allies, and colleagues played a significant role towards expansion of democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression. We are currently asking for your support and companionship in the bad days of life,” read one banner held by Afghan demonstrators.

But they have progressively imposed more restrictions, particularly on women. They have banned women and girls from schooling beyond the sixth grade, barred them from most jobs and demanded they cover their faces when outside.