Around 400 Afghan nationals currently stranded in Pakistan who hold German admission approvals are expected to be able to enter Germany soon. A spokesperson for the Federal Interior Ministry said on Monday in Berlin that about 360 people from the federal admission program and around 50 from the local staff program are currently “in the process of exit procedures.” In addition, 32 Afghan nationals from the federal admission program already arrived in Germany on Friday.
Following the takeover of Afghanistan by the radical Islamist Taliban in August 2021, the German government issued admission approvals to people who had worked in the country for the Bundeswehr or other German institutions. Commitments were also made to individuals considered particularly at risk for other reasons, such as women’s rights activists and human rights defenders.
After the change of government in Berlin, however, the new administration significantly curtailed admissions. Most recently, for example, admission approvals for more than 600 people seeking protection on the so-called human rights list were revoked. As many of those affected had already fled from Afghanistan to Pakistan, they are now stranded there.
According to the Interior Ministry spokesperson, around 630 people who are on the human rights list or part of a review program are currently still accommodated in Pakistan. They continue to receive support from German authorities, as the land borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan are closed. Support is also being offered for a return to Afghanistan or relocation to another third country, the spokesperson added.
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