Stranded Afghans in Pakistan reject German cash offer
Most Afghan nationals stranded in Pakistan after being denied resettlement in Germany have rejected a German government offer of financial assistance in place of relocation
KABUL, Afghanistan (MNTV) — Most Afghan nationals stranded in Pakistan after being denied resettlement in Germany have rejected a German government offer of financial assistance in place of relocation, leaving hundreds facing an uncertain future, infomigrants.net reported.
German authorities informed more than 660 Afghans in December 2025 that, despite earlier assurances, Germany would no longer admit them. As an alternative, Berlin offered cash assistance to help those affected return to Afghanistan or seek refuge in another country.
Official figures show that only 167 Afghans — including 25 principal applicants and 142 family members — accepted the offer. In contrast, 358 rejected it, while at least 137 others were still weighing their options as of late December.
Those who declined remain in Pakistan, where their legal status has become increasingly fragile. Pakistan has stepped up efforts over the past two years to reduce the number of displaced Afghans, raising fears that those still awaiting decisions could be required to leave with little notice.
The German government said the decision was driven by logistical constraints and pressure from Pakistani authorities to complete transfers before the end of 2025 — a deadline Germany failed to meet.
A bilateral agreement safeguarding Afghans with German resettlement commitments expired at the end of last year, the German Foreign Office said.
The move has drawn criticism of Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s government, which took office in May 2025 and pledged in its coalition agreement to scale back voluntary federal admission programs, including those for Afghans.
Germany continued to resettle hundreds of Afghans in 2025, mainly former local staff of German institutions and their families.
However, the rejected group largely comprised journalists, judges, teachers and human rights activists nominated under a humanitarian admissions program launched by the previous government.
Some applicants reached Germany late last year after winning individual court rulings requiring authorities to honor resettlement pledges. German officials said those rulings do not automatically apply to others, leaving several hundred Afghans still in limbo.
More than 35,500 Afghans have been resettled in Germany since the Islamic Emirate takeover in 2021. For hundreds still stranded in Pakistan, however, prospects for reaching safety remain uncertain as diplomatic efforts continue amid tightening regional pressures.
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