ISLAMABAD: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome called on Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar on Thursday to discuss the “safe and efficient” processing of Afghans eligible for resettlement to the US, a statement from the US Mission’s spokesperson in Pakistan said.

The development takes place as Pakistan’s Nov. 1 deadline for illegal immigrants in the country to leave or face deportation looms closer. Islamabad announced the decision earlier this month following a spike in militant attacks predominantly attributed to Afghan nationals.

Among the Afghan nationals in Pakistan facing deportation are some who have been declared eligible by Washington to be resettled in the US. These Afghans collaborated with the US and its allies prior to 2021.

“US Ambassador Donald Blome met today with Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar to discuss a broad range of critical bilateral issues,” a statement by the US Mission Spokesperson Jonathan Lalley said.

“Including the safe and efficient processing of Afghan citizens eligible for resettlement to the United States, upcoming national elections, and regional issues.”

Once close allies, Islamabad’s and Washington’s ties deteriorated steadily over the years mostly due to US concerns about Pakistan’s alleged support of the Taliban in Afghanistan. Islamabad vehemently denied sheltering the Taliban in sanctuaries, something Washington always regarded with suspicion.

Ties between the two countries strained further when former prime minister Imran Khan accused Washington of colluding with Pakistan’s former army chief and his political rivals to oust him from office in what he called was a “foreign conspiracy.”

The allegations were denied by Khan’s political rivals, the army and Washington. During former prime minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government, Pakistan made efforts to warm up to the US.