Pakistan has called on Germany to urgently resolve the pending cases of 2,400 Afghan refugees stranded in the country, cautioning that prolonged delays could trigger deportations under domestic law. The warning comes amid growing international concern over forced returns of vulnerable Afghans who fled the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters on Friday that Pakistan expects Germany to honor its earlier commitments. “These Afghans were identified and accepted by Germany, but bureaucratic and policy delays are leaving them in limbo. If clarity is not provided soon, Pakistan’s own laws will apply, and we cannot guarantee their stay,” Khan said.
Germany had initially pledged to resettle thousands of Afghan nationals—many of them journalists, civil society members, and employees of Western organizations—who faced severe risks after the Taliban returned to power. However, Berlin’s recent shift toward stricter immigration and asylum policies has slowed processing, leaving thousands stranded in neighboring countries like Pakistan.
Khan referred to an August statement by Germany’s Foreign Ministry, which acknowledged the “very serious” situation of Afghans awaiting transfer from Pakistan and vowed to speed up procedures. “We urge Berlin to translate its words into action,” he said.
Pakistan, which is not a signatory to the 1951 Geneva Refugee Convention, regulates foreign nationals through the 1946 Foreigners Act. The law gives authorities wide discretion to detain and deport individuals without valid residency permits or visas. Officials argue that Pakistan, already hosting over 3.7 million Afghans—registered and undocumented—cannot indefinitely shoulder the burden without stronger international support.
The precarious situation has already escalated in recent weeks. Rights groups report that more than 210 Afghan refugees, some carrying German approval papers, were detained by Pakistani police and forcibly returned to Afghanistan. Local authorities defended the move, citing expired visas and lack of valid travel documents.
For refugees, the uncertainty has become unbearable. “I worked with a German NGO in Kabul and was promised relocation. My documents were approved months ago, but I am still here in Islamabad, afraid every day that the police will knock on my door,” said Ahmad Zahir, a 32-year-old journalist.
Others expressed despair at the delays. “We sold everything to come here. Germany accepted us, but now we are treated like criminals in Pakistan,” said Maryam, a 27-year-old women’s rights activist who fled after the Taliban shut down her organization. “If they send me back, I will not survive.”
Families with children face additional challenges. “My two daughters have not gone to school for nearly three years. We live in one room, waiting for a call from the embassy that never comes,” said Abdul Rahman, a former interpreter for NATO forces. “We don’t need promises—we need action.”
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the deportations, warning that Afghans face persecution, imprisonment, and even death under Taliban rule. “Every delay puts lives at risk. Germany and Pakistan must work together to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities,” said one rights advocate.
Germany has so far evacuated over 30,000 Afghans since 2021, but rights groups say the pace has slowed considerably in 2024–25, leaving thousands stranded in legal uncertainty. Pakistan’s warning adds new urgency, as the 2,400 Afghans could face imminent deportation unless Berlin clarifies their status.
Observers note that the issue has also become a test case for Pakistan’s broader refugee policy, as Islamabad struggles to balance domestic pressures, strained resources, and international expectations. With deportations already underway and European commitments in question, Afghan refugees in Pakistan remain caught in a dangerous waiting game—uncertain whether safety or forced return lies ahead.
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