Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy

Monday 20 November 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Rupa Huq asked about steps to support Afghan citizens under the ARAP scheme.
  • The Minister stated that 13,000 eligible persons and their families have been relocated to the UK.
  • The Minister encouraged a change in tone when discussing Pakistan's role in supporting the relocation of Afghan citizens.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over the welfare of eligible Afghan citizens in Pakistan.

Question

What steps he is taking to support Afghan citizens who are eligible for the Afghan relocations and assistance policy. Some 13,000 eligible persons and their families have been relocated under this scheme, but further actions are needed.

Answer from James Heappey

Some 13,000 eligible persons and their families are now in the UK under the ARAP scheme. We are determined to deliver on our commitments, with many hundreds more arrivals in the UK planned before the end of the year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for security and welfare of Afghan citizens in Pakistan were not addressed

How: May I Gently Encourage Members On Both Sides Of The House To Change Their Tone When Describing The Government Of Pakistan In Relation To These Matters?

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Asylum & Refugees
Context

The question arises due to reports of Pakistan's crackdown on undocumented Afghan refugees, leading to forced deportations back to Afghanistan.

Question

In the light of Pakistan's brutal crackdown on undocumented and temporary visa-bearing Afghan refugees and its forcible deportation of those people back to Afghanistan, can the Minister confirm the security of those eligible for the Afghan citizens resettlement and ARAP schemes in Pakistan, including many whose claims have been unprocessed for two years? Can he expedite those claims to stop people being thrown back into the clutches of the Taliban?

Answer from James Heappey

May I gently encourage Members on both sides of the House to change their tone when describing the Government of Pakistan in relation to these matters? We would not have brought out thousands of people had it not been for the support of the Government of Pakistan, and we continue to enjoy their support and co-operation in our efforts to bring out many thousands more. As the hon. Lady well knows, because it has been well covered in the media, the Government of Pakistan have sought to accelerate the deportation of those whom they consider to be there illegally, but our excellent team in the high commission in Islamabad are working day and night with the Government of Pakistan to ensure that that does not happen to those who are in Pakistan under ARAP and ACRS. We are moving at our best pace to bring people back, with the full co-operation of the Government of Pakistan.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures for expediting claims were not addressed

How: May I Gently Encourage Members On Both Sides Of The House To Change Their Tone When Describing The Government Of Pakistan In Relation To These Matters?, We Would Not Have Brought Out Thousands Of People Had It Not Been For The Support Of The Government Of Pakistan

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)