German Charter Flight Arrives with Afghan Evacuees
On Monday, a government-organized charter flight carried 141 Afghan nationals to Germany, landing at Hanover airport. These individuals had been granted admission pledges following the Taliban's assumption of power in Afghanistan and traveled from Islamabad to Lower Saxony. They are scheduled to be allocated across various German federal states in the coming period.
Pakistan's Deadline for Admission Procedures
Pakistan has issued a deadline to the German government, requiring the completion of all admission processes by the end of this year. Failure to meet this timeline could result in the deportation of these individuals to Afghanistan, although the border between the two countries remains largely closed at present.
Background on Admission Promises
In August 2021, the Taliban retook control of Kabul, prompting the German government to commit to accepting former local employees of German institutions and others deemed at high risk. This led to the establishment of admission programs for eligible Afghans.
Legal Challenges and Program Status
Despite a coalition agreement among CDU, CSU, and SPD parties to phase out voluntary federal admission programs, including those for Afghanistan, legal actions by some beneficiaries have facilitated renewed entries. Recently, around 650 Afghans with prior commitments received final rejections, accompanied by offers for assisted return or relocation to other countries with financial support.
Currently, approximately 45 individuals in Pakistan are undergoing local staff procedures, while 264 remain in the federal admission program, highlighting ongoing efforts to address the situation.
