CIMM – Situation in Pakistan – December 05, 2023

Key Facts And Figures

As of November 23, 2023, approximately 8,400 Afghan clients remain in Pakistan at various stages of processing, including many who are approved for travel to Canada (i.e., in the landing inventory).
Almost 17,720 Afghan clients have been resettled in Canada through Pakistan since the fall of Kabul. As of November 23, 2023, Canada has welcomed 39 charter flights for Afghan clients from Pakistan in addition to thousands of Afghan refugees who have travelled on commercial flights from Pakistan.
Canada has received assurances from the Government of Pakistan that Afghans who are being resettled to Canada would not be targeted for deportation under the Repatriation Plan. However, we are aware of a number of clients who have been deported, and we are working on a case-by-case basis to find a path forward for each client (e.g., re-entry into Pakistan, travel to Canada via another, etc.). depending on the individual circumstances.

The Government of Canada has expressed its concern to the Government of Pakistan regarding Pakistan’s Repatriation Plan for Illegal Foreign Nationals, which began November 1, 2023.
Canada continues to advocate for streamlined procedures and strengthened protections for vulnerable Afghans while working with the Government of Pakistan to move Canada-bound Afghans safely.
The Government of Canada, including our High Commission in Islamabad, is monitoring the situation closely and is also working with like-minded countries and international organisations to address the deteriorating protection environment.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clients have received guidance on what to do if they are arrested or detained, including how to contact Canada’s High Commission in Islamabad so we can support their immediate release directly with Pakistani authorities.

Due to upcoming elections, the Government of Pakistan currently has an interim Prime Minister in place, supported by a caretaker cabinet and government to ensure continuation of key operations. IRCC continues to work with the Government of Pakistan to expedite the movement of Afghans to Canada.
The Government of Canada, including Canada’s High Commission in Islamabad, maintains an active and constructive dialogue with the Government of Pakistan on issues related to the protection of vulnerable Afghans in Pakistan and on processes related to helping those who are approved for resettlement in Canada travel to Canada as soon as possible.
The Government of Canada appreciates Pakistan’s support of our efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans to Canada.

IRCC is communicating with clients as we learn they have been detained or deported. We treat each case with a great sense of urgency including exploring various options for detained or deported clients, and where possible arranging travel onward to Canada.
Given that Afghans are part of a vulnerable population, for security reasons, we cannot provide any further details on operational information, including the number of Afghan clients detained or deported. This has been standard practice since the beginning of our resettlement initiative.
Each country sets its own entry and exit requirements and determines when and if these requirements are changed. Local events and evolving situations can impact these operations.

2024-04-03