CIMM – Situation in Pakistan – October 24, 2023

Key Facts and Figures

• [Redacted]
• Almost 18,000 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.

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada is concerned about recent reports of detention of some Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan for immigration violations and continues to engage with the Government of Pakistan on this issue.
• We are bringing Afghans to Canada from Pakistan as quickly as possible. Despite challenges, thousands of Afghans have transited through Pakistan over the past two years. To date, there have been 35 charter flights from Pakistan to Canada in addition to hundreds of Afghan refugees who have travelled on commercial flights from Pakistan.
• Applications continue to be processed as quickly as possible through our integrated network of visa officers across the globe. IRCC added more employees and resources in our missions abroad, including Islamabad, to support the processing and movement of vulnerable Afghans.

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.
• Since the beginning of the crisis, the Government of Canada, including Canada’s High Commission in Islamabad, has maintained an active and constructive dialogue with the Government of Pakistan at the highest levels on issues related to applicant travel and the protection of vulnerable Afghans in its territory.
• The Government of Canada continues to advocate for streamlined procedures and strengthened protections for vulnerable Afghans, and appreciates Pakistan’s support of our efforts to resettle vulnerable Afghans to Canada.

If pressed

• 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.