Islamabad, Pakistan — Afghan nationals holding P1 and P2 immigration cases in Pakistan are raising urgent calls for the expedited processing of their resettlement applications. Despite living in Pakistan for over three years, many claim their cases have seen little to no progress, leaving them in an increasingly precarious limbo.
The P1 and P2 programs, initiated by the U.S. government in August 2021 after the fall of Afghanistan’s republic, were designed to provide a pathway for U.S. local partners and eligible individuals to legally resettle in the United States. While the U.S. continues its resettlement program for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, thousands of applicants who have completed all procedural stages remain stranded, awaiting their transfer to safety.
The situation has been exacerbated by a recent policy introduced by the Pakistani government, which mandates the expulsion of Afghan refugees residing in Islamabad after December 31. This policy has heightened fears among P1 and P2 case holders, who already face risks of detention and deportation. Similar actions last year saw many U.S.-affiliated Afghan nationals detained by Pakistani authorities, further delaying their immigration processes.
“We are stuck between uncertainty and fear,” said one Afghan applicant, speaking anonymously. “We worked closely with U.S. agencies in Afghanistan, but now we feel abandoned.”
Beyond the legal and administrative delays, Afghan nationals in Pakistan report mounting challenges in their daily lives. The lack of access to essential services, including education for children, healthcare, and legal documentation, has left many families struggling to survive. The psychological toll has been devastating, with reports of some applicants taking their own lives due to hopelessness and despair.
The resettlement delays come at a time when geopolitical tensions and domestic policies in Pakistan have made life increasingly untenable for Afghan refugees. As the December 31 deadline looms, thousands of P1 and P2 case holders are left waiting for answers, their futures hanging in the balance.
