Afghan allies still waiting for the safety Germany promised
After the Taliban retook power on August 15, 2021, Berlin promised to bring Afghan staff to Germany. But people are still waiting to leave in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Afghan allies who assisted Germany during the country's involvement there remain waiting for the safety Germany promised. Foreign Minister Heiko Maas had assured them on August 26, 2021, shortly after the Taliban took power, that "our work continues until all those for whom we carry responsibility in Afghanistan are safe." By June 2026, over 37,000 Afghan nationals had arrived in Germany since the Taliban's return, including those who worked with Germany's Bundeswehr or aid programs, as well as relatives and individuals at risk, such as activists and journalists who advocated for human rights against the Taliban.
Ahmad Samid, an audio engineer for the Bundeswehr, receives German assistance and is very grateful. However, Javad Niazi, who worked for a German ministry, remains stuck in Peshawar, Pakistan, after Germany broke its promise in May 2025. Javad and his family feel trapped, with limited freedoms and no way to access basic services like schools. Their savings have been depleted, and they cannot leave their temporary accommodation for fear of Pakistani security forces, who arrest and deport Afghan nationals daily.
Germany's new coalition government scrapped the resettlement programs in May 2025, leaving over 600 Afghans waiting in Pakistan and Kabul. The German government has offered a one-time payment of up to €2,500 ($2,887) for those who choose not to leave for Germany. However, only 300 people have accepted this offer so far. The issue is now primarily addressed through the court system, with Germany's Federal Constitutional Court ruling in July 2026 that the government's blanket decision to revoke the admission program was unconstitutional.
Javad Niazi continues to worry about his and his family's future, relying on the Kabul Air Bridge to help rescue others from the Taliban. The German non-governmental organization Kabul-Luftbrücke has been providing legal advice and support to Afghans, winning over 200 lawsuits and helping 1,018 people travel to Germany since September.
Written by urgent.news from DW News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
