As many as 200 Afghan refugees will fly out of Pakistan, where they are currently stuck, to relocate to the UK onboard the first charter flight scheduled for Thursday (October 26), media reports said.

After the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, over 3,000 Afghans, including a majority of those who worked for the British army, were evacuated to Pakistan and promised residence in the European nation.

However, these individuals are still stuck in Pakistan. Apart from Pakistan, hundreds of Afghan refugees are also stranded in Iran as they wait for a possible evacuation to the UK.&nbsp;

This situation has caused concerns among the refugee community in Pakistan. Many of the refugees in Pakistan had initially gone there to process their UK visas, with the aim of starting a new life in the UK.

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However, due to delays and various complications, some of their visas have now expired.

Reports citing a risk assessment document disclosed that the British authorities in Pakistan consider this group to be "at risk of deportation."

<h2>Plight of refugees in Pakistan</h2>

Around 3,250 individuals, including men, women, and children, who are part of the UK's relocation schemes, are currently residing in guest houses and hotels in Islamabad, Pakistan.

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While in Pakistan,&nbsp;they do not have legal access to work, and their children are not allowed to attend school. Many refugees had initially expected a short stay in Pakistan, but due to a change in accommodation policies in the UK and longer waiting times, their situation has become more precarious.

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Media reports, citing official sources&nbsp;in Pakistan, said that the UK government is planning to charter several flights over the next few months, with operations running until December.

Last year, UK authorities made accommodation arrangements a prerequisite for repatriation however reports say that the government has decided that they will no longer need to fulfill the "suitable accommodation" requirement before their arrival. This change is aimed to expedite the relocation process.

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

As many as 200 Afghan refugees will fly out of Pakistan, where they are currently stuck, to relocate to the UK onboard the first charter flight scheduled for Thursday (October 26), media reports said.

As many as 200 Afghan refugees will fly out of Pakistan, where they are currently stuck, to relocate to the UK onboard the first charter flight scheduled for Thursday (October 26), media reports said. After the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, over 3,000 Afghans, including a majority of those who worked for the British army, were evacuated to Pakistan and promised residence in the European nation. However, these individuals are still stuck in Pakistan. Apart from Pakistan, hundreds of Afghan refugees are also stranded in Iran as they wait for a possible evacuation to the UK. This situation has caused concerns among the refugee community in Pakistan. Many of the refugees in Pakistan had initially gone there to process their UK visas, with the aim of starting a new life in the UK. Also Read | Russia rehearsed launching ‘massive’ nuclear strike after exiting CTBT However, due to delays and various complications, some of their visas have now expired. Reports citing a risk assessment document disclosed that the British authorities in Pakistan consider this group to be "at risk of deportation." Plight of refugees in Pakistan Around 3,250 individuals, including men, women, and children, who are part of the UK's relocation schemes, are currently residing in guest houses and hotels in Islamabad, Pakistan. Also Read | Regional travel dips as Israel-Hamas conflict impacts West Asia: Report While in Pakistan, they do not have legal access to work, and their children are not allowed to attend school. Many refugees had initially expected a short stay in Pakistan, but due to a change in accommodation policies in the UK and longer waiting times, their situation has become more precarious. Watch | Artists collaborates with robots × Media reports, citing official sources in Pakistan, said that the UK government is planning to charter several flights over the next few months, with operations running until December. Last year, UK authorities made accommodation arrangements a prerequisite for repatriation however reports say that the government has decided that they will no longer need to fulfill the "suitable accommodation" requirement before their arrival. This change is aimed to expedite the relocation process. (With inputs from agencies)

About 200 Afghan refugees to relocate from Pakistan to UK on charter flights on Oct 26

Citing its mission as "discriminatory" since only India's state carrier is allowed, US Transport department has asked Air India to halt the ongoing repatriation under ''Vande Bharat mission'' from the US.

Citing its mission as "discriminatory" since only India's state carrier is allowed, US Transport department has asked Air India to halt the ongoing repatriation under ''Vande Bharat mission'' from the US. The order said, "We are taking this action because the Government of India (GoI) has impaired the operating rights of US carriers and has engaged in discriminatory and restrictive practices with respect to US carrier services to and from India." The order will come into effect 30 days from the service date. The main plea of the US transport authority is that India has "imposed restriction" that prevents US airlines to conduct the flight operations and while noting that Air India is conducting "self-described evacuation", it has "gone beyond true evacuations". India began repatriation flights from US since May 18th and on 19th May, the matter was raised by the US with Air India. In fact, on 26th May, US airline Delta Airlines had requested permission from the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) to perform repatriation charter services similar to those provided by Air India but hasn't received approval. From June 10th and July 3rd, Air India advertised for 59 repatriation flights between India and the US which the order called as "Air India may be using its passenger repatriation charters as a way of circumventing the GoI-imposed prohibition of all scheduled services" and this creates, "competitive disadvantage for US carriers vis-à-vis Indian carriers". So far, the Indian government hasn't reacted to the development. The US government registered its objections with Indian govt regarding this "competitive imbalance" via its mission on 28th May. India announced the suspension of international flights from 25th March. The US transport department has also called for "close scrutiny" and will give prior approvals on "case by case basis" to Air India passenger charter operations. Before that Air India operated 34 round trips flights per week to the US.

Air India repatriation flights from US to be halted over 'unfair and discriminatory practices'

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