America-Pakistan News: Pakistan said on Thursday (January 23, 2025) that America is committed to taking in a large number of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. This comment of Pakistan has come a few days after the new Trump administration suspended the US refugee admission program for at least three months from January 27.
‘No plan to change policy towards Afghans’
Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said, “We have an agreement with the US under which it is committed to taking a large number of Afghans from Pakistan to the US for resettlement by September this year.” ‘This system is still in force. Pakistan will continue to implement its existing policies regarding Afghan refugees.” He clarified that there are no plans to change the policy towards Afghans living in the country.
Pakistan spoke about relations with America
According to the report of news agency AP, about 15,000 Afghan citizens are waiting for approval for resettlement in America through the US government program in Pakistan. This program was created to help Afghans in danger under Taliban rule. Foreign Office spokesperson said that Pakistan is ready to hold talks with the new US administration to take forward long-term bilateral relations. He said, “Pakistan is committed to building strong and robust relations with the US based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.”
Denied claims of supporting ISIS
The US spokesperson welcomed the swearing-in of US President Donald Trump and stressed that US-Pakistan relations are important, covering many areas. He said, “We look forward to continuing these relations.” Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Afghanistan’s soil is being used by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
He said that Pakistan will continue to put pressure on Afghan officials to address these concerns, so that bilateral relations can move forward rapidly. He also denied claims of supporting banned terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS). He said, “We strongly reject Afghanistan’s allegations of supporting ISIS.” We urge the Afghan administration to destroy the terrorist camps of TTP.
Protested against Israeli attack in Gaza
In response to another question, he said that Pakistan is committed to the full implementation of the Indus Water Treaty. He expressed hope that India will also implement this treaty in good faith and completely. Shafqat Ali Khan also condemned the new attacks by the Israeli army on Gaza during the ongoing ceasefire and expressed Pakistan’s strong protest against the increase in violence despite the agreement. “We urge the international community to develop a concrete plan for the reconstruction of Gaza in line with UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.
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