HANOVER, Germany – Germany is set to receive its fourth group of approved Afghan refugees from Pakistan this week, a continued effort under its humanitarian admission program even as nearly 1,900 individuals remain in limbo awaiting relocation.
A charter flight is scheduled to arrive at Hanover Airport from Islamabad on Tuesday, November 4, carrying Afghan families who have already received security clearance and entry approval from the German government. This arrival, first reported by the German newspaper Die Welt, represents a ongoing commitment to at-risk Afghans, though the program’s future remains uncertain under the current coalition.
A Program in Transition
The humanitarian admission program was launched by Germany’s previous administration following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan four years ago. Its primary aim was to protect vulnerable Afghans who had worked alongside German and international forces and organizations, including local embassy staff, human rights advocates, and journalists.
Since the new coalition government took office in May, this marks the fourth evacuation flight it has facilitated. Last week, a smaller group of 14 Afghan nationals arrived in Hanover under the same initiative.
However, the government in Berlin has signaled a shift in policy. Officials have indicated plans to reduce or phase out these voluntary admission efforts and are currently reviewing whether past commitments under the program are legally binding. This has created significant anxiety among applicants and drawn criticism from refugee advocacy groups.
A Race Against Time
The urgency of the situation is underscored by a firm deadline from the Pakistani government. According to Germany’s Interior Ministry, approximately 1,900 approved Afghan citizens are still in Pakistan awaiting transfer. Islamabad has given Berlin until the end of the year to complete their relocation.
This timeline is complicated by Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to deport undocumented Afghans, a policy that refugee organizations warn places even those with approved German papers at risk of being caught up in the crackdown.
“Every day of delay is a day too many,” said a spokesperson for the refugee aid organization Pro Asyl. “These individuals have been vetted and approved. They are human rights defenders, journalists, and former colleagues who are now living in fear. To leave them in a precarious situation, especially with Pakistan’s deportation drive, is to abandon our humanitarian duty.”
The warning is particularly acute for women and girls, who face severe restrictions under Taliban rule, and for journalists who continue to be targeted for their work.
A Pathway to a New Life
Upon arrival in Germany, the evacuees are initially processed in Hanover, where they receive temporary housing, medical care, and initial integration support from local authorities. Previous groups have been flown via a route that includes a stop in Istanbul before landing in Germany.
The federal government, in coordination with state-level authorities, then works to distribute the new arrivals to municipalities across the country for long-term housing, language courses, and assistance entering the job market.
As the clock ticks down to the year-end deadline, all eyes are on Berlin to see if it can expedite the process for the remaining 1,900 individuals. The arrival of this fourth flight is a positive step, but it also highlights the immense logistical and political challenges that remain in fulfilling Germany’s pledge to its at-risk Afghan allies.
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