Pakistan, March 8 -- More than 80 Afghan women in Oman are facing deportation after their US-funded scholarships were abruptly canceled. The women had been studying under the Women's Scholarship Endowment (WSE) program, which was funded by the US for International Development (USAID). The decision comes after a foreign aid freeze ordered by former President Donald Trump.

The scholarships were terminated last week due to a broader funding freeze as part of government spending cuts. Many of the women, who had fled Taliban rule to pursue higher education in Oman, now fear returning to Afghanistan. They worry about the severe restrictions the Taliban has imposed on women, including bans on universities and most jobs.

These women were studyi...