A group of Afghans with permits to resettle in Germany have flown out of Pakistan despite the suspension of the program. Berlin offered financial compensation to some for staying.
A group of Afghans with permission to resettle in Germany flew out of the Pakistani capital Islamabad on Tuesday. According to a DPA reporter, 11 Afghan citizens boarded a regular commercial flight to the German city of Hanover with a stopover in Istanbul, Turkey, writes TASR.
- A group of Afghans flew from Islamabad to Germany.
- The German resettlement program for endangered Afghans has been suspended.
- The program included former employees of German institutions in Afghanistan.
In May, the German government suspended a resettlement program for particularly vulnerable Afghans. It referred to former employees of German institutions in Afghanistan, their relatives and other persons who fear persecution by the Afghan government’s Taliban movement, such as lawyers and journalists. As a result of this move, many Afghan families are stuck in Islamabad and are waiting for an opportunity to leave, DPA explains.
The resettlement program continues
About 2,000 Afghans have been approved for resettlement in Germany under the program for persons at risk from the Taliban government in Afghanistan.
DPA reports that some of them are still being granted visas despite the suspension of the program after successfully suing German authorities and asserting their right to enter the country.
Financial support instead of resettlement
According to the German government, approximately 1,900 Afghans remain in Pakistan with a permit to enter the country or a declaration of acceptance, DPA adds.
Earlier this month, Berlin sent letters to several Afghans offering financial support if they give up plans to emigrate to Germany. According to DPA, this step was sharply criticized by the affected Afghans.
