Afghans Granted Exit Permission Detained in Pakistan
In a surprising turn of events, at least eight Afghans who were awaiting resettlement in Germany were arrested and subsequently deported from a guesthouse in Pakistan. According to reports provided by the news agency dpa, seven individuals were taken to a deportation center following the arrests.
This incident occurred in a guesthouse where Afghans, many of whom are former local forces or considered particularly at risk, were accommodated while they waited for their resettlement to Germany under various programs.
The arrests and deportations have raised concerns, as they come after the German Federal Government had expressed regret over similar incidents and agreed with the Pakistani government that there would be no further arrests until the end of the year.
The ongoing talks between the German and Pakistani governments regarding the situation of Afghans awaiting resettlement in Pakistan are aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of these individuals. However, the recent arrests and deportations have cast a shadow over these efforts.
The new reasons for these actions are not yet known, and the identity of the current Pakistani Interior Minister who agreed to this pause is not explicitly named in the available sources. The German side, represented by Interior Minister Johann Wadephul and Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, is in contact with Pakistani authorities, but the Pakistani Interior Minister's name is not mentioned in these documents.
Despite this setback, it is important to note that more than 2,000 Afghans are currently waiting in Pakistan for resettlement to Germany under various programs. Many Afghan families have been waiting in Islamabad for months or even years, hoping for a new beginning in Germany.
The German Federal Government has once again expressed its regret over these incidents and is working closely with Pakistani authorities to address this issue. The hope remains that the agreed pause on arrests will be resumed, ensuring the safety and well-being of those awaiting resettlement.
