Diplomatic Tensions Rise as Pakistan Detains Afghans Awaiting German Visa

Islamabad, Pakistan - A diplomatic dispute has intensified between the German government and Pakistan as authorities in Islamabad have begun detaining Afghan nationals who are awaiting resettlement in Germany. This development follows the expiration of a deadline set by the Pakistani government for the resolution of issues concerning approximately 2,500 Afghan refugees residing in the country.

Since the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan in August 2021, Germany has offered asylum to tens of thousands of Afghan citizens, yet the process has been fraught with delays. Instead of directly transporting these individuals to Germany, the German authorities initially relocated them to Pakistan, where final checks by officials from the Federal Police and the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) were to take place.

Pakistan's government has expressed increasing frustration over the prolonged waiting periods, with Afghan individuals currently facing an average wait of around eight months for their visa approvals. Adding to the complexity, the visas issued by Pakistan are valid for only three months, leaving many Afghans in a precarious situation as they become undocumented immigrants.

Initially, Berlin was given a deadline to vacate accommodations rented for these Afghan nationals by March 31. Following diplomatic pressure, this deadline was extended to June 30, yet little progress was made. Reports indicate that staff from BAMF, essential for finalizing the visa processes, were absent as they had been evacuated due to escalating tensions in the region.

In the days leading up to the extended deadline, Pakistani authorities initiated raids on guesthouses housing Afghan refugees, detaining individuals whose visas had expired. The situation prompted staff from the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to alert the German embassy in Islamabad about the detentions.

German officials have since taken measures to prevent the deportation of these individuals, often successfully negotiating their return to guesthouses prior to deportation. However, the situation remains chaotic, with insiders describing it as a state of disorder, highlighting the serious humanitarian implications of the ongoing diplomatic standoff.

The German Foreign Office has acknowledged that the residency status for Afghan nationals has deteriorated, noting a significant increase in challenges since early April 2025. They are reportedly in high-level discussions with Pakistani officials to prevent the deportation of those with valid asylum claims currently undergoing visa processing in Islamabad.

According to reports, approximately 150 Afghans with pending asylum requests have been transferred to detention facilities, leaving their future uncertain. In response to these developments, the German government has committed to honoring existing asylum agreements, with the Foreign Minister affirming the intention to fulfill obligations to those stranded in Pakistan.

In a recent ruling, a Berlin administrative court mandated that the German government must issue visas to Afghan families with confirmed asylum requests, reinforcing the necessity for adherence to these commitments. Despite the ongoing legal challenges, the Foreign Office previously stated that all Afghan nationals with asylum agreements should possess a form of protection provided by the German embassy.

As discussions continue between Berlin and Islamabad, the situation for Afghan refugees remains precarious, underscoring the complexities of international asylum processes and the urgent need for effective resolutions to support those affected.