The debate over different programs to admit Afghan citizens into the Federal Republic of Germany has been ongoing for months. According to data on interventions by German police in Pakistan, reported by “Welt am Sonntag” officials approached employees of the German embassy on five flights in 2025 regarding 59 individuals scheduled for entry, advising them not to allow these Afghan citizens – contrary to plan – onto the plane. The reasons given by the Federal Police President to “Welt am Sonntag” were “insufficient documentation or other security-related findings.” The aim was supposedly to re-examine the individuals and their documents. The final decision on entry rests with the Federal Foreign Office (AA), which often remained unswayed.
According to “Welt am Sonntag” the Federal Police stated that they had “merely knowledge” of 25 cases where entry was not approved, allowing 34 Afghan citizens to travel to Germany despite the concerns of the police. During the Afghan transit in Pakistan, so-called Document and Visa Advisors (DVB) of the Federal Police examine the documents presented by the Afghan citizens and inform the embassy of any forgeries. However, the DVB are not informed about how the Federal Government handles these reported Afghan citizens.
In the lead-up to the 18 charter flights from Islamabad in 2024, the police requested German diplomats to re-examine 90 Afghan citizens, as reported by “Welt am Sonntag.” According to the police department’s knowledge, the AA complied with the recommendation in half the cases, denying entry to 45 Afghan citizens.
The AA stated regarding the matter that only those who “have successfully completed the visa procedure and all security checks” would be admitted. Travel documents were reportedly checked again shortly before departure and any questions were clarified or “the continuation of the journey to Germany was temporarily suspended” before departure.
Manuel Ostermann, deputy chairman of the Federal Police Association, told “Welt am Sonntag” that the Federal Government, particularly the Federal Foreign Minister emeritus, has apparently ignored the expertise of the Federal police. The entire process was described as a “scandal that needs to be thoroughly investigated in a parliamentary inquiry committee.