Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif has delivered a stark warning to Germany regarding the ongoing predicament of former Bundeswehr local staff stranded in Pakistan and slated for deportation to Afghanistan. In remarks published Wednesday, Asif strongly suggested Berlin should engage in financial negotiations with the Taliban to ensure the safety and security of these individuals upon their return.
“Simply repatriating them, only for them to face execution in Afghanistan the following day, is not a viable option” Asif stated, highlighting the precarious situation and potential for severe repercussions. He proposed that monetary incentives could be leveraged to secure assurances from the Taliban, guaranteeing protection from retaliation against the returning individuals in exchange for German financial support.
The situation involves Afghan nationals who were initially promised relocation to Germany but remain trapped in Pakistan pending deportation. Asif’s government has already initiated the repatriation process, an action he justified by contrasting it with the actions of other European nations who have absorbed their former local personnel. He characterized Germany’s intake as “relatively small” compared to these efforts.
While acknowledging the Taliban’s inherently unpredictable nature – “a difficult partner to calculate” as he put it – Asif’s suggestion underscores Islamabad’s growing frustration with Berlin’s handling of the issue. The proposal also highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play, forcing Germany to confront the realities of negotiating with a regime often accused of human rights abuses and whose commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals remains questionable.
The Pakistani government’s blunt request signals a potential shift in strategy – recognizing that unilateral deportation carries significant risks and that a negotiated settlement, however tenuous, might be the only way to mitigate those dangers. The call for direct financial engagement with the Taliban also raises broader questions about Germany’s responsibilities and the ethical implications of outsourcing the safety of vulnerable individuals to an unstable regime. The response from Berlin is expected to be closely scrutinised, not only within Pakistan but also by international observers concerned about the treatment of individuals at risk in Afghanistan.