Germany to soon relocate Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan

Germany said it will soon relocate more than 400 Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan, ending months of uncertainty under its humanitarian admission programme.

Germany’s Interior Ministry said it will end the prolonged uncertainty of more than 400 Afghan refugees currently stranded in Pakistan by transferring them to Germany.

In the latest move, 32 Afghan refugees were flown to Germany on a special charter flight last Friday, marking renewed progress in the relocation process.

According to the German daily Die Welt, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said on Monday in Berlin that 410 people are awaiting transfer, with their cases in the final stages of approval for departure from Pakistan.

Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Germany launched humanitarian admission programmes for Afghans considered at risk, including journalists, human rights defenders and former local staff.

Many Afghan refugees relocated to Pakistan after receiving preliminary assurances of admission to Germany, but processing delays left hundreds facing legal and residency challenges.

The Interior Ministry said the group includes 360 vulnerable individuals such as journalists and rights activists, as well as 50 former local employees of German institutions in Afghanistan.

Officials added that Germany will also provide financial support to those who choose to return voluntarily to Afghanistan or relocate to a third country.

Germany has previously rejected applications from around 600 Afghan refugees who had travelled to Pakistan after receiving initial promises of resettlement, underscoring the selective nature of the programme.

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