CIMM – Situation in Pakistan – November 07, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

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• Almost 17,000 Afghan clients have been resettled in Canada through Pakistan since the fall of Kabul. To date, Canada has welcomed 35 charter flights for Afghan clients from Pakistan in addition to hundreds 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 small number of clients who have been deported, and we are working with the Government of Pakistan to secure their re-entry into Pakistan to enable onward travel to Canada.

Key Messages

• 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. The Government of Canada, including our High Commission in Islamabad, is monitoring the situation closely.
• The Government of Canada has had focused discussions with Pakistani officials in order to ensure vulnerable Afghans residing in Pakistan are protected from detention and deportation.
• 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.

Supplementary Information

• 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 continues to advocate for streamlined exit procedures and strengthened protections for vulnerable Afghans, and appreciates Pakistan’s support of our efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans to Canada.

If pressed

• The Government of Canada has secured the release of IRCC clients who have been detained. We work directly with the Government of Pakistan in this regard.
• It is important to remember that 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.