ISLAMABAD: In his meeting with US Ambassador Donald Blome on Thursday, Pakistan’s States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Minister Amir Muqam stressed the need for the United States and other global partners to assist Islamabad in repatriating Afghan refugees that it says are living illegally in Pakistan. 

Pakistan began a deportation drive against what it said were “illegal immigrants,” mostly Afghan nationals, last year after a surge of deadly suicide bombings which officials in Islamabad blamed on militants based in Afghanistan. 

Islamabad also blamed the Afghan administration in Kabul for facilitating these militants, a charge denied by Taliban officials. Pakistan’s caretaker interior minister had also blamed Afghan nationals in Pakistan for carrying out 14 out of the 24 suicide attacks in the country.

Pakistan has so far repatriated over 637,000 Afghan nationals, state media said last month. The move has been criticized by international rights organizations, who have accused Pakistani authorities of subjecting Afghan nationals to harassment, mass arrests and intimidation. The United States and other world powers have also urged Pakistan to review its decision to repatriate Afghan refugees. 

“The minister said that Pakistan’s hosting millions of Afghan refugees has not been adequately appreciated by the international community,” a statement from the Safron ministry said about Muqam’s meeting with Bliome.

“He emphasized the need for the US and other global partners to assist in the repatriation of Afghan refugees to Afghanistan.”

Blome appreciated Pakistan’s role in hosting Afghan nationals and supporting marginalized groups, the ministry said. 

“The minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s dedication to working with the US and the international community to find durable solutions for Afghan refugees, emphasizing the need for increased support and collaborative efforts,” the ministry said. 

Blome also highlighted US humanitarian efforts, noting that Washington provides 50 percent of global humanitarian assistance and “remains focused on Pakistan and the refugee situation.”

Pakistan’s move to deport Afghan nationals has also soured its ties with Afghanistan, which has repeatedly called on Islamabad to treat its nationals with dignity and not expel them by force.