Exiled Afghan Journalists Call for Halt to Their Forced Deportation from Pakistan

Photo: Daily Outlook Afghanistan / IFJ

With the suspension of visa extensions and the increase in arrests in Pakistan, dozens of Afghan journalists who fled to the country after the Taliban’s return to power are now facing the risk of forced deportation.

On yesterday (August 9), these journalists, expressing concern over this situation, called on the Pakistani government, media support organizations, and international bodies to take urgent action to prevent their deportation and return to Afghanistan.

According to them, this situation has forced their women, men, and children to live in fear and anxiety, and to spend days and nights in the streets or unfamiliar areas, which further threatens their safety.

The exiled journalists, while expressing gratitude for the hospitality of the people and government of Pakistan, emphasized that the process of returning migrants should respect human rights principles and standards, and should not allow them to fall back into the hands of the Taliban.

They have warned that the continuation of this process could have severe consequences for freedom of expression and the personal safety of journalists.

After the Taliban’s takeover, thousands of journalists sought refuge in Pakistan, and many have been waiting for months or even years to be relocated to European countries or the United States. The suspension of visa extensions and the increase in arrests have now heightened the risk of their return and exposure to Taliban reprisals.