The United States wants Pakistan to keep its border open to Afghan refugees.

The influx of Afghan refugees along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has surged as a result of a surge in Taliban violence in Afghanistan following the US withdrawal. Given the circumstances, the US wants Pakistan to keep its borders with Afghanistan open for Afghan refugees, according to Dawn. "So, in a state like Pakistan, it'll be critical that their borders remain open," a senior State Department official said during a press briefing on the new US refugee admittance program for Afghan citizens.

"Obviously, if people move north or via Iran to Turkey... (they) have an option both to enter the nation and to register with either the government or the UNHCR," the official noted. Pakistan, on the other hand, looks hesitant to do so. Pakistan has housed millions of Afghans since 1979, with over three million permanently residing in the nation. According to Dawn, Pakistani officials argue that their economy is not robust enough to accommodate more refugees.

During a briefing in Washington this week, Pakistan's National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf urged that procedures should be taken to keep displaced Afghans within their country rather than driving them into Pakistan. "Why should they be dar-ba-dar (homeless)? Make plans for them within their own country. Pakistan does not have the capacity to accept any further refugees."

The US demand might aggravate already fragile relations between the two countries, as Washington is attempting to rescue translators and others who worked for US government agencies, as well as their families, under Special Immigration Visas (SIV). The Taliban is particularly targeting those who have assisted the United States in its war against terrorism in the region. Furthermore, the Biden administration increased access to refugee programs for Afghans who worked with the US on Monday (local time).

"This designation expands the opportunity for many thousands of Afghans and their immediate family members to permanently resettle in the United States who may be at risk due to their US affiliation but are ineligible for a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) because they did not have qualifying employment or because they have not met the time-in-service requirement to become eligible," according to the state department announcement.

-