NDP MP Jenny Kwan speaks during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, May 5, 2022. The federal NDP is urging Ottawa to intervene as Pakistan prepares to deport hundreds of Afghan detainees waiting to escape to Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
OTTAWA – The federal Liberal government is facing calls to intervene amid reports that Pakistan is preparing to arrest and deport Afghan refugees, many of whom are waiting to escape to Canada.
The Liberal government promised in August 2021 to resettle 40,000 Afghans who have fled their country to escape the Taliban, including thousands with connections to Canada.
But only about 27,000 Afghan refugees have actually arrived in Canada more than a year later, with thousands waiting in Pakistan for word on when they can depart.
Now there are fears that Pakistan will deport those Afghans who are still waiting, including hundreds already approved to come to Canada, when a special order expires on Dec. 31.
While Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says it has received assurances from Pakistan that it will not arrest or deport Afghans, that is cold comfort to NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan and others.
They say the government needs to put pressure on Pakistan amid reports authorities there have already started cracking down on Afghans, and also speed up its efforts to resettle people to Canada.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2022.
