Media Group Urges Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif To Protect Afghan Journalists Facing Arrest And Deportation

(MENAFN- Khaama Press) A media advocacy group has urged Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene and protect Afghan journalists facing arrest, harassment, and forced deportation.
The exile media support organization Nai in Exile has urged Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene directly to address the worsening situation of Afghanistan's journalists in Pakistan.

In a letter sent on Tuesday, the group called on Sharif to ensure that Afghan reporters, who face threats of arrest by Pakistani authorities, receive visas and guarantees of safety. Many journalists reportedly live under de facto house arrest, unable to seek medical care due to fears of detention. Some have already been forcibly returned to Afghanistan, where they face direct threats from the Taliban.

Nai in Exile stressed that Pakistani Interior Ministry harassment of Afghan journalists and their families has created a climate of fear that undermines press freedom and restricts basic human rights. The organization warned that without intervention, journalists could be trapped between potential Taliban persecution in Afghanistan and increasing enforcement measures in Pakistan.

The call for intervention comes amid a broader crackdown on Afghan refugees following heightened tensions between Islamabad and the Kabul. Afghan journalists, human rights activists, former government employees, and military personnel are among those particularly affected, with visa renewals being denied and deportations increasing in recent months.

The situation has drawn attention from Pakistani lawmakers as well. A senator recently expressed concern over the treatment of Afghan refugees, highlighting the need for protective measures to safeguard vulnerable populations, particularly media workers and civil society members.

Human rights groups have documented repeated instances in which Afghan journalists and activists were forced to leave Pakistan, often facing detention or deportation without due process. International organizations have criticized Pakistan's handling of refugee populations, noting that forced returns place at-risk individuals in immediate danger of persecution in Afghanistan.

Nai in Exile emphasized that urgent action is needed to protect Afghan journalists in Pakistan. Advocates argue that without formal guarantees of safety and unrestricted access to work and healthcare, reporters risk silencing, intimidation, and potentially life-threatening consequences.

ShareFacebook Twitter WhatsApp Email Print Telegram

MENAFN23122025000228011069ID1110516244