Germany Evacuates 160 Afghan Refugees from Pakistan, with More Flights Planned Amid Deportation Threat

Germany has evacuated 160 Afghan refugees from Pakistan via a charter flight, accelerating resettlement efforts as thousands remain stranded under worsening conditions and the looming threat of deportation.

On Tuesday, December 16, German authorities facilitated the transfer of the evacuees from Islamabad to Berlin. The German Interior Ministry confirmed that these individuals had received formal admission commitments from Germany following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, placing a legal obligation on Berlin to facilitate their relocation.

The evacuation comes amid increasing urgency following explicit warnings from Pakistani authorities. Pakistan has stated that Afghans awaiting resettlement in third countries could be deported back to Afghanistan if their admission procedures are not finalized by the end of the year. This deadline has heightened anxiety among the estimated thousands of Afghans in Pakistan who are in various stages of the application process with nations like Germany.

Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt addressed the complex landscape, noting that approximately 600 Afghans currently in Pakistan lack legally binding admission commitments. He emphasized Germany’s intention to conclude existing voluntary federal admission programs without initiating new ones. “However,” Dobrindt added, “for those who hold binding commitments, we will honour our legal obligations. The relocation of these individuals will continue.”

German officials and international aid organizations have repeatedly raised alarms about the dire situation facing many stranded Afghans. Reports detail severe hardships, including legal limbo, severely restricted access to employment and healthcare, overcrowded housing, and the persistent fear of forced return. These challenges are compounded by the protracted security checks required for hundreds of applicants, a process that often extends their wait indefinitely.

The charter flight this week is the first in a planned series, with German authorities indicating that additional evacuation flights are scheduled for the coming weeks in a race against Pakistan’s year-end deadline. The operation underscores the ongoing international efforts to address the plight of Afghan allies and vulnerable groups who fled after the collapse of the Western-backed government, even as resettlement pathways narrow.

 

 

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