A group of Afghans departed the Pakistani capital of Islamabad on Thursday (March 22) and are expected to land in Berlin, the German Foreign Office has confirmed. The group is part of the German government's efforts to transfer Afghans it considers to be vulnerable, including those who have collaborated with German agencies.

German authorities did not disclose how many men and women were on board the flight.

As part of Germany's Admission Program (Bundesaufnahmeprogram), about 1,400 Afghans have been accepted, but only 290 people have actually entered the country so far.

The program is aimed at people who are particularly at risk due to involvement in democracy work, women and human rights projects, politics, media and education, as well as culture, sport or science.

Afghans, including their family members, who have cooperated with Western governments, international organizations or aid groups, as well as those who are at risk based on their gender or sexual orientation, are also able to take part in the program.

Germany has said it could admit 1,000 Afghans per month via the Admission Program.

Also read: Afghanistan: What happened to Germany's local staff?

Women, girls face increasing oppression under Taliban rule

Germany began evacuating vulnerable Afghans after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. So far, around 33,000 people have been able to enter Germany. This includes around 20,000 local workers, including their family members.

Since the Taliban seized power, women have been barred from most areas of public life. Girls have been banned from going to school beyond the sixth grade.

Women in Afghanistan also face restrictions in the workforce, travel and health care if they are unmarried or don’t have a male guardian, according to the United Nations.

In May 2022, the Taliban issued a decree instructing women to only show their eyes and recommending they wear the head-to-toe burqa – similar to restrictions during the Taliban's previous rule between 1996 and 2001.

The majority of Afghans who fled the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 now reside in Pakistan.

With dpa and AP