Germany Airlifts 141 Afghan Refugees from Pakistan Amid Deportation Deadline

Germany Airlifts 141 Afghan Refugees from Pakistan Amid Deportation Deadline
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Germany has airlifted 141 Afghan refugees from Pakistan to the city of Hanover as part of efforts to speed up long-delayed resettlements, Khaama Press reported. The charter flight departed from Islamabad and marks a renewed push to relocate Afghans who were promised protection following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

Germany’s Interior Ministry said the group included 123 people listed under special human rights protection programs, as well as 18 former local staff members and relatives who had worked with German institutions. After arriving in Hanover, the refugees are expected to be distributed among several German states for resettlement.

Berlin launched special evacuation and admission schemes after the fall of Kabul to protect journalists, human rights defenders, and local employees who faced heightened risks due to their cooperation with German organizations. However, the implementation of these programs has faced repeated delays, partly due to domestic political opposition to accepting more refugees.

Officials say dozens of former local staff and hundreds of at-risk Afghans remain stranded in Pakistan. Islamabad has warned that deportations to Afghanistan could begin if transfers are not completed within days. While German authorities insist most relocations will proceed soon, some cases may extend into next year, drawing criticism from human rights groups calling for faster action.