Germany has urged Pakistan to allow the return of more than 200 Afghans who were recently deported back to Afghanistan, despite being previously accepted into a German resettlement program. According to German officials, these individuals were awaiting safe passage under Germany’s humanitarian admission scheme but instead found themselves caught between Islamabad’s deportation drive and Berlin’s shifting immigration policies.
The deportations come at a sensitive time, as Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government enforces stricter immigration controls, leaving thousands of vulnerable Afghans stranded in Pakistan in limbo.
Arrests and Deportations in Pakistan
German authorities revealed that Pakistani police recently detained approximately 450 Afghans who had already been approved under Germany’s program for at-risk individuals. Out of those detained, at least 211 were forcibly deported to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. The remaining 245 were reportedly released from holding camps in Pakistan, though their future remains uncertain as they await resettlement processing.
Germany’s foreign ministry confirmed that ongoing diplomatic talks with Islamabad are focused on facilitating the return of those deported. Berlin stressed that these individuals had been promised sanctuary and must not be abandoned to an unsafe environment.
Stranded Between Promises and Policies
The affected Afghans were among those offered protection by Germany following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021. The program, launched under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz, was designed to provide refuge to individuals most at risk, including former employees of German institutions, journalists, human rights defenders, and others facing persecution.
However, since Friedrich Merz assumed office in May 2025, the program has been effectively frozen as part of a wider tightening of immigration policies. This abrupt policy shift has left an estimated 2,000 Afghans stuck in Pakistan without clarity on when, or if, their resettlement will proceed.
Legal Challenges in Germany
The deportations have sparked criticism within Germany, with human rights groups accusing the government of neglecting its responsibilities. Last week, two rights organizations filed legal complaints against senior German ministers, accusing them of abandonment and failing to assist Afghans who were promised protection.
Advocates argue that Germany bears a moral and legal obligation to uphold commitments made under the resettlement scheme. By leaving approved applicants stranded or allowing them to be deported back to Afghanistan, critics warn, Berlin risks endangering lives and undermining its international credibility.
Security Reviews and Immigration Strain
German officials explained that each applicant under the program is subject to an individual review process, which may include extensive security screening. A spokesperson for the German interior ministry said that these assessments are ongoing, delaying the issuance of visas for many of those stranded.
The Merz government has defended its tougher immigration approach as necessary to balance humanitarian obligations with domestic security concerns. However, rights groups insist that bureaucratic delays cannot justify deportations that place vulnerable Afghans back into harm’s way.
The Human Cost of Deportation
For the deported Afghans, the consequences are dire. Many of them worked alongside German institutions during the NATO presence in Afghanistan or belong to groups openly targeted by the Taliban. Being returned to Afghanistan places them at serious risk of persecution, detention, or worse.
Reports from refugee advocates highlight cases of journalists and civil society activists among the deported, raising alarm about their immediate safety. Families that had hoped for relocation to Germany now face uncertainty, displacement, and fear in Taliban-controlled territory.
Pakistan’s Role in Deportations
Pakistan has accelerated the expulsion of undocumented Afghan refugees over the past year, citing security and resource constraints. With millions of Afghans already residing in the country, Islamabad has argued that it cannot indefinitely host new arrivals while struggling with its own economic and social challenges.
Authorities in Pakistan have defended deportations as part of a broader campaign to regulate undocumented populations. However, critics stress that those accepted under international resettlement programs should have been protected from removal. The deportation of Afghans awaiting German visas highlights the gaps in coordination between Islamabad and Berlin, leaving vulnerable individuals to bear the consequences.
Diplomatic Efforts Continue
Germany has confirmed it is in active discussions with Pakistan to resolve the situation. Diplomatic channels are being used to press for the return of the deported Afghans and to ensure that others awaiting resettlement are not expelled in the meantime.
Officials emphasized that Berlin remains committed to honoring its humanitarian responsibilities but acknowledged the challenges posed by the stricter immigration framework introduced by the current government.
Broader Implications
The deportation controversy underscores the fragile situation faced by Afghan refugees across the region. With resettlement programs slowing down and host countries under pressure, many Afghans remain caught between hostile policies and unsafe home conditions.
Observers warn that if Germany and Pakistan cannot reach a sustainable solution, thousands of at-risk Afghans could remain stranded indefinitely, undermining international humanitarian commitments.
Germany’s call for Pakistan to allow the return of over 200 deported Afghans highlights the urgent need for greater coordination on refugee protection. While Berlin faces pressure at home to control immigration, it also carries an obligation to protect those it promised sanctuary. For Afghans already approved under the resettlement scheme, time is running out as deportations continue and Taliban rule tightens its grip on Afghanistan.
The situation reflects a broader test for both countries: Pakistan’s handling of refugees amid domestic pressures and Germany’s willingness to uphold humanitarian commitments in the face of shifting political tides. Until these challenges are resolved, vulnerable Afghans remain trapped in uncertainty, facing the consequences of broken promises and geopolitical calculations.
