KABUL, AFGHANISTAN — Germany has temporarily suspended its charter flights for the resettlement of Afghanistan refugees, awaiting a policy decision from the incoming government, as reported by Reuters.
The German Foreign Ministry on Wednesday stated that the two-week pause will allow the new administration time to review existing refugee resettlement policies.
The move comes amid growing political tensions over migration, following recent public backlashes in Germany after a series of violent incidents involving migrants, and rising pressure on housing and infrastructure.
Earlier this month, the incoming coalition government, comprising conservatives and the Social Democratic Party (SPD), agreed to tighten controls on irregular migration.
Germany launched several resettlement programs following the Taliban takeover in 2021 in a bid to protect former local employees of German agencies, humanitarian workers, and other vulnerable Afghans. According to the German Foreign Office, around 36,000 Afghans have been admitted under these programs, including more than 20,000 former local staff and their families.
At present, approximately 2,600 Afghans approved for relocation to Germany remain stranded in Pakistan. Among them are 350 former local employees, still awaiting visa issuance and flights to Germany.
Applicants must undergo a rigorous security screening process involving Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, federal police, and criminal investigation authorities.
The suspension comes at a time when the Pakistani government is intensifying its crackdown on Afghan nationals, particularly undocumented refugees, raising further concerns for those awaiting evacuation.
Human rights groups have expressed alarm over the suspension, warning that it could leave at-risk Afghans vulnerable to abuse or death under Taliban rule.
