Fourth group of Afghans departs Pakistan for resettlement in Germany

A group of Afghans approved for resettlement in Germany has set off from Pakistan, the fourth such transfer since the current German government took office.

According to information obtained by dpa at Islamabad airport, the group left on a commercial flight with a stopover in Istanbul and is expected to arrive in the German city of Hanover on Tuesday, where previous groups have also landed before being distributed across the country.

The transfer is part of German admission schemes for particularly vulnerable Afghans, including former local staff, human rights defenders and others eligible for protection.

A former school principal from Kabul expressed relief and gratitude after waiting more than a year for her departure, telling dpa she hoped her daughters would receive a good education in Germany.

An Afghan journalist travelling with his wife and young son said he felt hopeful about their future, but was saddened that part of his family had to remain in Islamabad.

Many Afghan families have been stranded in Islamabad for months or years, waiting for their chance to leave. Germany's conservative-led coalition government suspended a resettlement programme for particularly vulnerable Afghans in May.

The scheme had covered former local staff of German institutions, their relatives and others fearing persecution by the Taliban, such as lawyers and journalists.

Some Afghans are still being granted visas despite the suspension, after successfully suing in German courts to enforce their right to entry.

According to the German government, around 1,900 Afghans with approved admission or declarations of acceptance remain in Pakistan.

In its coalition agreement, the German government pledged to end voluntary federal admission programmes such as those for Afghanistan and not to introduce new ones.