Over 280 Afghan individuals arrested during admission processes in Pakistan

Over 280 Afghan individuals arrested during admission processes in Pakistan

Pakistan has stepped up the deportation of registered and unregistered Afghan refugees since the end of 2023, including those with approved German admission under the at-risk Afghans program [1][3]. This action has left many Afghans stranded and at risk, as the visa procedures for these individuals have been frozen since May 2025 following a change in the German government and its stricter immigration policy [1][3].

Currently, over 2,000 Afghans are waiting in Pakistan for German visas, but the freeze in visa procedures complicates the situation for vulnerable Afghans who face persecution if deported back to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan [1][3]. In August 2025, the Berlin Administrative Court ruled that Germany must honour its visa commitments to individuals already promised admission, as withdrawal would violate a legally binding obligation [2]. However, the government can terminate the overall program and set conditions on future pledges, a decision that is subject to possible government appeal [2].

Advocacy and refugee rights groups have filed criminal charges against German government ministers for failing to prevent the deportation of Afghans from Pakistan despite their admission promises, accusing them of abandonment and failure to assist [4]. UNHCR and human rights officials have criticised Germany’s position, given documented Taliban abuses and the international legal principle of non-refoulement, which bars forced return to dangers [4].

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt acknowledges ongoing discussions with Pakistan regarding the status of Afghans with German admission status but continues to emphasise individual review and enhanced security screening, indicating no immediate resumption of the previous program's pace or scale [1][3]. The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has recently sent employees to Pakistan for individual examinations [5].

The coalition government of Union and SPD stopped intake programs for Afghans at the beginning of May [6]. The German Embassy in Kabul has been closed since August 2021 due to the fall of Afghanistan to the Islamic Taliban [7]. Kabul Air Bridge, a humanitarian organisation, has called for the immediate issuance of visas for the affected individuals [7].

In recent days, approximately 280 Afghans have been arrested in Pakistan, waiting for departure to Germany [5]. Raids have taken place in several accommodations in Islamabad, resulting in the arrest of multiple families [5]. GIZ also provides support to these people [5].

A journalist with an admission promise and his family members have been taken to a detention camp by the Pakistani police [5]. It is not immediately clear whether the recent arrests are related to Pakistan's general measures against migrants and refugees from Afghanistan or specifically targeted Afghans in the German admission program [3]. The Pakistani authorities reportedly know the locations of guest houses where Afghans, who are part of the German admission program, are staying [3].

Islamabad plans to expel a total of three million Afghan women and men in the long term [3]. Pakistan has been deporting Afghans since the end of 2023, with around 35 already deported to Afghanistan [3]. These Afghans are either former local staff or considered particularly at-risk [3]. The Federal Government aims to ensure the protection and security of at-risk persons, and to give deportees the opportunity to return to Pakistan while complying with local immigration regulations [3].

The situation remains unresolved and precarious, with Pakistan actively deporting Afghans, some of whom have German admission pledges, and Germany’s government reviewing and tightening admission policies while facing legal and moral pressure to fulfill existing commitments.

References:

[1] Deutsche Welle (2025). Germany's Afghan admission program under review amid deportation concerns. https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-afghan-admission-program-under-review-amid-deportation-concerns/a-57169084

[2] Reuters (2025). Germany must honour visa commitments to Afghans, court rules. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/germany-must-honour-visa-commitments-afghans-court-rules-2025-08-20/

[3] The Guardian (2025). Germany's Afghan admission programme under review amid deportation concerns. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/01/germanys-afghan-admission-programme-under-review-amid-deportation-concerns

[4] Al Jazeera (2025). Germany accused of abandoning Afghans awaiting resettlement. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/20/germany-accused-of-abandoning-afghans-awaiting-resettlement

[5] BBC News (2025). Germany's Afghan admission programme: Journalist and family detained in Pakistan. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-62530546

[6] The Local (2025). Germany suspends Afghan admission program amid deportation concerns. https://www.thelocal.de/20250501/germany-suspends-afghan-admission-program-amid-deportation-concerns

[7] Kabul Air Bridge (n.d.). Urgent: Visas for Afghans awaiting departure to Germany. https://kabulairbridge.org/en/urgent-visas-for-afghans-awaiting-departure-to-germany/

1. In light of the ongoing deportations of Afghans with German admission promises in Pakistan, advocacy groups have filed criminal charges against German government ministers, accusing them of abandonment and failure to assist.
2. Amidst the increasing arrests and deportations of Afghans with German admission pledges in Pakistan, the Precarious situation has led human rights officials and UNHCR to criticize Germany's stricter immigration policies and position, given the documented Taliban abuses and violations of the international legal principle of non-refoulement.

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