Pakistan Returns 211 Afghans from German Resettlement Program

In a recent development, the Pakistani government has deported 211 individuals who were part of the German resettlement program aimed at safeguarding vulnerable Afghans. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Germany has expressed its commitment to assist these individuals as they navigate their return to Afghanistan.

According to information from the German government, approximately 450 Afghan nationals were detained by Pakistani authorities in the lead-up to these deportations. However, following diplomatic efforts by the German embassy in Islamabad, it was reported that 245 individuals were released from detention facilities over the weekend.

For those deported, the German government has coordinated with a service provider to arrange temporary housing in Afghanistan. Concurrently, efforts are ongoing to negotiate their return to Pakistan, highlighting the complexities surrounding the situation.

Currently, more than 2,000 Afghans are waiting in Pakistan under various resettlement programs, many of whom are former local staff or individuals deemed at high risk. Following the Taliban's takeover in August 2021, the German embassy in Kabul has ceased its operations, forcing applicants to undergo a vetting process in Pakistan.

Hakan Demir, a member of the German Bundestag, emphasized that these individuals have put themselves in significant danger by working with the German military or development agencies. He asserted that Germany must uphold its legal obligations and promises of protection for these vulnerable groups. He also urged the CDU and CSU, the coalition partners, to take more proactive steps in addressing this humanitarian issue.

On the other hand, Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt stated that each case will undergo careful evaluation to determine the legal obligations for resettlement, including necessary security checks. A spokesperson from the Ministry of the Interior confirmed that staff from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) are present in Pakistan to facilitate these evaluations.

Criticism has been directed towards the length of the resettlement processes, with past instances of Afghans under resettlement agreements being temporarily detained by Pakistani authorities. The recent deportations have further raised concerns about the fate of those awaiting resettlement in Germany.