BERLIN: The German government said on Thursday it would admit 535 Afghans who had previously been promised refuge in Germany but remain stranded in Pakistan. The announcement follows months of uncertainty for those caught between shifting political decisions and looming deportation deadlines.
Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt told the RND media network that Germany aims to complete processing of the cases “in December, as far as possible.” He said the goal was to allow the affected individuals to enter Germany before the end of the year.
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The Afghans were approved under a refugee admission program launched by Germany’s previous government. However, the process was frozen after conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May, leaving hundreds stuck in Pakistan awaiting final decisions.
Those included in the scheme either worked with German armed forces in Afghanistan or were considered particularly vulnerable following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Among them are human rights activists, journalists, and their family members.
Dobrindt will Aufnahme-Zusage gegenüber weiteren 535 Afghanen in Pakistan einhalten https://t.co/O1VAf07r5f pic.twitter.com/33tcCxlOFX
— WELT (@welt) December 17, 2025
Pakistan has set a deadline for resolving the cases by the end of the year. After that point, Afghan nationals without legal status risk being deported back to Afghanistan.
Dobrindt said Germany remains in contact with Pakistani authorities to manage the situation. He added that some cases may extend into the new year due to administrative complexities.
Last week, Germany’s interior ministry confirmed it had informed 650 people that they would not be admitted under the program. The new government said continuing the scheme for all applicants was no longer in Germany’s national interest.
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Authorities have also offered financial incentives to Afghans in Pakistan willing to withdraw their applications. By mid-November, only 62 people had accepted the offer.
Earlier this month, more than 250 organizations, including Amnesty International, Save the Children, and Human Rights Watch, urged Germany to honor its commitments. They estimate that around 1,800 Afghans linked to the program remain in limbo in Pakistan.