Media Group Calls for Release of Afghan Journalist and Family Held in Pakistan

March 10, 2026 – Afghanistan/Pakistan –

The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) has called on Pakistani authorities to release an Afghan journalist and two members of his family who were detained by police in Pakistan, raising concerns about the safety of journalists living in exile.

In a statement issued on 10 March 2026, AMSO said Pakistani police had arrested the journalist along with two female relatives, describing the detention as unlawful and calling for their immediate release. The organization urged the Pakistani government to end the harassment of Afghan journalists and respect the rights of media workers seeking refuge in the country.

AMSO expressed particular concern that the arrests appear to be part of a broader pattern of pressure on Afghan journalists living in Pakistan. The organization noted that authorities had recently detained another Afghan female journalist, highlighting what it described as an escalating trend of arrests and intimidation targeting members of the Afghan media community.

The group warned that such actions place journalists and their families at significant risk, especially for those who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Many Afghan reporters relocated to neighboring countries, including Pakistan, to escape threats and restrictions imposed on independent media inside Afghanistan.

AMSO also linked the recent arrests to a broader security context. According to the organization, Pakistani police have increased the detention of Afghan citizens amid rising tensions and military clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban authorities along the border. These developments have created a more difficult environment for Afghan refugees, including journalists seeking temporary protection in Pakistan.

Press freedom advocates warn that the detention of journalists and their families could further endanger Afghan media workers who are already living in uncertain conditions abroad. Many journalists in exile rely on temporary visas or humanitarian arrangements while awaiting relocation to third countries, leaving them vulnerable to arrest or deportation.

AMSO called on Pakistani authorities to immediately release the detained journalist and family members and to ensure that journalists are not targeted because of their profession. The organization also urged international human rights bodies and media support groups to closely monitor the situation and take steps to protect Afghan journalists living in exile.

Media rights advocates say the case highlights the precarious situation faced by Afghan journalists outside their country, many of whom remain at risk of detention or forced return despite having fled persecution and severe restrictions on press freedom in Afghanistan.

Reference –

AMSO Calls for Release of Afghan Journalist and Family from Pakistani Jail