Germany has offered cash payments to Afghan refugees stranded in Pakistan if they agree to withdraw from a resettlement program that would have brought them to Germany, activists revealed on Tuesday.
These Afghans were accepted under a refugee scheme set up by Germany’s previous government. However, after conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office in May and froze the program, about 2,000 people have been left stuck in Pakistan.
According to Airbridge Kabul, an initiative supporting the refugees, letters were sent to them offering financial assistance and other support if they agreed to drop out of the resettlement process.
Under the proposal, a single woman would receive an initial payment of €1,500 (around $1,700) while in Pakistan. If she travels to Afghanistan or a third country, she would receive an additional €5,000.
A spokesperson for Germany’s Interior Ministry confirmed that such offers exist within the framework of “voluntary return” to Afghanistan or departure to another country. The original resettlement program was designed for Afghans who had worked with German forces or who faced serious threats from the Taliban, including journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists.
Shock and Anger Among Refugees
Eva Behr from Airbridge Kabul said she was not aware of any refugee willing to accept the German government’s latest offer. “Many have expressed deep shock and anger,” she said, sharing a message from one refugee: “I am shaking and can’t stop crying. I don’t want money or bread — I just want to be safe.”
Deteriorating Situation in Pakistan
In recent months, Pakistani authorities have intensified their crackdown on Afghans without legal status. During the summer, more than 200 Afghans who were part of the German program were deported back to Afghanistan.
Although Germany’s Foreign Ministry announced in September that it had reached an “understanding” with Pakistan to prevent further arrests or deportations of these individuals until the end of the year, Airbridge Kabul reported that 17 more arrests took place in late October. The group said that recent border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan have further worsened the situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
A letter sent to the refugees acknowledged that “procedures in Pakistan should be completed by the end of 2025,” but also warned that “unfortunately, it cannot be guaranteed that all procedures will be completed on time.”
Meanwhile, several groups of Afghans have managed to reach Germany after taking legal action against the delays. A group of 14 refugees reportedly arrived in Germany last Thursday.
