Islamabad is requesting that Germany issue visas to facilitate the return of 210 Afghan nationals previously subject to deportation from German accommodation programs A senior Pakistani government official, speaking on Tuesday in Islamabad, stated that Pakistan is prepared to allow their return contingent upon Germany issuing the necessary travel documents, with onward travel to Germany expected within days This arrangement, the official confirmed, has been proposed to the German government
The individuals in question were initially detained in mid-August in Islamabad, held in facilities managed by Germany’s international cooperation agency, GIZ, while awaiting potential departure for Germany They are now located in Afghanistan under the supervision of a Germany-contracted implementing organization
Germany’s Foreign Office indicated on Monday that it does not anticipate further deportations of this nature before the end of the year The Pakistani official declined to comment on this German statement
Beyond the 210 individuals, Islamabad is also urging the relocation of the over 2,000 Afghan nationals remaining in the capital as part of German programs Pakistan is requesting they be moved to other cities while awaiting visa processing, which would necessitate the leasing of additional accommodation
Pakistani officials have emphasized a desire for continued constructive dialogue with Berlin However, they also assert that an indefinite continuation of these programs is unsustainable and requires a “concrete timeline” for completion Pakistan has previously issued multiple deadlines to Germany regarding the processing and completion of the existing accommodation programs