Canada stops shelter payments for Afghan migrants in Pakistan

Ottawa: The Canadian government this week stopped providing financial support for Afghan migrants currently waiting in Pakistan to be resettled in Canada, media reports said.

Canada had promised immigration visas to Afghans who had worked with Canadian forces in Afghanistan. Many of these Afghans moved to Pakistan following the return of the Taliban’s government in Afghanistan and are awaiting transfer to Canada.

Reports indicate that the Canadian immigration and settlement office provided temporary shelter funds for these Afghans.

According to CBC News, the Canadian government has now halted these payments. Officials told CBC that this financial support was a temporary measure and an exceptional step to provide temporary housing while the migrants completed their documentation.

Currently, thousands of Afghan citizens are awaiting evacuation in Iran and particularly in Pakistan. Most of them are in an uncertain situation in these countries.