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March 07, 2026 – Afghanistan/Pakistan –
Afghan journalists living in exile in Pakistan are increasingly being caught up in a widening crackdown on Afghan refugees as political and military tensions escalate between Islamabad and the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan, according to press freedom organizations and regional media reports.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has warned that Afghan journalists who fled Taliban rule and sought refuge in Pakistan are now facing arrests, harassment, and the threat of deportation. The organization says the crackdown intensified after Pakistan declared what it described as an “open warfare” stance against Afghanistan on 27 February 2026, following a surge in cross-border hostilities and militant attacks.
According to RSF, multiple Afghan journalists have been detained in Pakistan in recent days as part of broader police operations targeting Afghan refugees. The organization recorded around twenty arrests of Afghan journalists since the start of 2026, while at least six journalists supported by RSF were deported to Afghanistan in the past two weeks, bringing the total number of deported journalists this year to nine.
Many of the affected journalists had fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and had been living in Pakistan while waiting for resettlement to third countries. However, recent police raids and identity checks have left many reporters fearing detention or forced return to Afghanistan, where they could face retaliation for their past reporting.
Some journalists described repeated visits by police and temporary detentions despite holding valid visas or documentation. Others reported being forced to remain inside their homes to avoid arrest. Several also alleged extortion by officials and harassment during identity checks targeting Afghan residents in neighborhoods across Islamabad and other cities.
Human rights groups warn that deportation poses serious risks for journalists because the Taliban has previously targeted media workers and critics. Many of the reporters now facing deportation were involved in independent media outlets or investigative reporting before leaving Afghanistan.
The crackdown comes amid a broader deterioration in relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, including military strikes, border clashes, and accusations that Kabul is harboring militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The escalating conflict has contributed to heightened security measures and increased pressure on Afghan refugees living in the country.
Press freedom advocates say the situation has left many Afghan journalists stranded in a precarious position. While Pakistan had previously served as a temporary refuge for reporters fleeing Taliban repression, organizations now warn that growing deportations and arrests are placing exiled journalists at risk and further undermining their safety.
RSF and other international groups have urged Pakistani authorities to halt arrests and deportations of Afghan journalists and to ensure that media professionals seeking refuge are protected from forced return to Afghanistan.
Reference –
Pakistani Crackdown on Afghan Refugees Catches Journalists as Tensions Escalate with Taliban
