ISLAMABAD: A group of 47 Afghan nationals who fled Taliban rule has reached Germany, marking a significant breakthrough after months of uncertainty and hardship in Pakistan. The group, comprising 10 families, had been stranded for months due to the suspension of Germany’s special resettlement program, which was originally designed to provide sanctuary for Afghans at risk of persecution.
On Monday, most of the refugees landed in Hanover around 2 p.m. local time, traveling on a commercial flight from Istanbul. According to the humanitarian organization Airbridge Kabul, which has been supporting displaced Afghans, 45 people arrived in the first flight, while two more later reached Germany after catching a connecting flight.
An interior ministry spokeswoman confirmed that all individuals had entered Germany legally, with completed admission procedures and thorough security screenings. “These are all individuals who obtained visas through legal proceedings,” she stated.
For many, the arrival was a moment of relief and hope. A mother and daughter, who requested anonymity, shared their joy with AFP. The mother expressed optimism about beginning a new life where her daughter could study and she herself could work and integrate into German society. Her 20-year-old daughter added, “I am very happy that after many difficulties and challenges, we finally managed to reach a good life. From now on, I will achieve the goals I had once dreamed of.”
Germany had initially introduced the resettlement program in 2021 following the Taliban’s return to power. It was aimed at protecting Afghans who had worked with German institutions or belonged to vulnerable groups such as journalists, rights activists, and members of the judiciary. However, earlier this year, Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s conservative government froze the program as part of a broader immigration crackdown, leaving over 2,000 Afghans stranded in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani government intensified its clampdown on Afghans without legal residency, further worsening the plight of those awaiting relocation. In August, German authorities reported that around 450 Afghans waiting for resettlement had been detained in Pakistan, with more than 200 forcibly returned to Afghanistan under Taliban rule.
Amid growing concerns for their safety, Berlin recently announced that it would resume the intake of Afghans for whom German courts had ruled there was a legal obligation to issue visas. The arrivals this week are part of that renewed commitment. According to Airbridge Kabul, the 10 main applicants in the latest group included eight women and two men, all of whom had been engaged in politics, journalism, or the justice system in Afghanistan — roles that left them particularly vulnerable under the Taliban regime.
Their arrival offers a glimmer of hope for the thousands still stranded, as Germany begins to cautiously reopen its doors to those in urgent need of refuge.
