Report: Germany aims to bring 535 Afghans to country by year-end

Germany's Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt said Afghan nationals with existing admission approvals will be brought to Germany as quickly as possible, ideally by the end of the year.

Around 460 people are currently in the federal admission programme, with another 75 in the local staff programme currently staying in Pakistan, he told the RND media group in remarks published on Thursday.

"We have an interest in ensuring that this is dealt with as quickly as possible and are in contact with the Pakistani authorities," Dobrindt said. "We want to conclude this as far as possible in December. But there may still be some cases that need to be handled in the new year."

On Tuesday, a government-organized charter flight brought 160 Afghan nationals to Berlin. Those in Islamabad are being accommodated in guesthouses while undergoing security checks and visa processing.

Pakistan had originally given Germany until the end of the year to complete the procedures, after which the people could be deported back to Afghanistan. However, the border is currently closed.

The Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021. The German government promised to admit former local staff of German institutions and other individuals considered at particular risk. However, the current coalition agreement states that voluntary federal admission programmes, such as the one for Afghanistan, should be phased out and no new programmes created.

Following successful court challenges, some Afghan nationals were allowed to enter Germany. Around 650 others who had received different approvals were recently denied entry, with the government offering support for returning to Afghanistan or relocating to a country willing to accept them, including financial assistance.