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February 06, 2026 – Afghanistan –
An Afghan journalist working in Pakistan has highlighted the ongoing risks faced by media workers after being detained briefly by authorities in Islamabad, underscoring the precarious situation of Afghan reporters residing there amid tightening immigration enforcement. The journalist’s account has drawn attention from press freedom advocates concerned about the treatment of refugee journalists and protection for independent reporting.
The journalist, identified as Sulaiman Aryan, was taken into custody on 6 February 2026 during a routine check linked to heightened efforts by Pakistani authorities to detain and process undocumented Afghan nationals. Aryan was released later the same day, but described the experience as stressful and indicative of deep insecurity among Afghan journalists and other refugees living in Pakistan without a stable legal status.
According to reports, Aryan was approached by immigration officials near his residence in Islamabad after participating in regular reporting activities. Officials were conducting increased documentation checks, reflecting broader policy moves that have left many Afghans — including journalists — facing uncertainty over visas and residency rights. Aryan told ZarinTV that he feared being detained again or even deported, given the current enforcement environment.
Advocates say the journalist’s case illustrates a wider problem affecting Afghan expatriates in Pakistan, where visa renewal suspensions and documentation challenges have contributed to an environment where refugees may be subject to arrest without clear protection mechanisms. Afghan media workers have reported challenges in obtaining or renewing legal status, complicating daily work and exposing them to risks related to both immigration enforcement and the content of their reporting.
Aryan has been active as a correspondent and reporter for several independent outlets, focusing on stories affecting Afghan communities in Pakistan, including socio-economic issues and cross-border developments. In interviews following his release, he emphasised the importance of press freedom protections and called for clearer pathways to legal status for refugee journalists, arguing that media workers contribute valuable information and civic engagement within host societies.
Local press freedom groups have echoed these concerns, urging both Pakistani authorities and international bodies such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to implement policies that protect journalists who are also part of refugee or migrant populations. They argue that conflating immigration status with journalistic activity can deter reporting on critical issues and weaken media diversity in host countries.
The situation also highlights the broader vulnerabilities Afghan journalists face abroad, including limited access to legal counsel, uncertain residency rights, and threats linked to their work covering contested or politically sensitive topics. Rights advocates affirm that ensuring legal clarity and protection for these reporters is essential to uphold press freedom and supporting marginalized media professionals operating under duress.
As the policy environment evolves in Pakistan, journalists like Aryan continue to navigate these challenges while calling for international engagement and reform to create safer conditions for media practitioners displaced by conflict and instability in their home regions.
Reference –
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