Suspension of Charter Flights for Afghan Refugees from Islamabad Amid Political Criticism

Approximately 2,600 Afghan individuals remain stranded in Pakistan, awaiting resettlement in Germany. However, the prospect of a swift evacuation appears increasingly unlikely. As of now, no further charter flights are anticipated in the coming days, following a flight originally scheduled for Wednesday that has reportedly been canceled due to a lack of updates from the relevant authorities.

Authorities have indicated that preparations for another charter flight planned for the next two weeks have also not yet commenced. This development follows a report from a major news outlet, which highlighted the temporary suspension of these flights.

The responsibility for issuing visas to former local staff of German institutions, as well as to Afghans deemed particularly vulnerable, lies with the German embassy in Pakistan. Multiple agencies under the purview of the current Federal Ministry of the Interior--led by the Social Democratic Party (SPD)--are involved in the security vetting and processing of refugees for entry into Germany.

This announcement comes in the wake of criticism from opposition parties, particularly from the Union bloc, regarding the continuation of refugee admissions by the interim government. According to the coalition agreement between the CDU, CSU, and SPD, it is stated that voluntary resettlement programs, such as those for Afghanistan, will be phased out as much as possible, and no new programs will be initiated.

Last Wednesday, a flight arrived at Leipzig/Halle Airport carrying 138 Afghan refugees who had previously received acceptance notifications. In total, there have been several flights this year, bringing 461 individuals from Afghanistan to safety.

Currently, around 2,600 vulnerable Afghan nationals are reported to be waiting in Pakistan for their chance to relocate to Germany, as confirmed by the Federal Foreign Office. This group includes former local staff and their families, as well as Afghans who face persecution from the Taliban, particularly individuals who have previously advocated for human rights as lawyers or journalists.

In light of the ongoing mass deportations of Afghan nationals from Pakistan back to Afghanistan, Schahina Gambir, a member of parliament from the Greens, has emphasized the urgent need to facilitate the evacuation of Afghans with acceptance notifications from Islamabad to Germany. The situation underscores the complexities and challenges facing many Afghans seeking safety in a stable environment.