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December 23, 2025 – Pakistan –
A coalition of media organisations has called on Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to ensure the safety and legal rights of Afghan journalists working in Pakistan, expressing deep concern over recent detentions, deportation threats, and worsening conditions for Afghan media workers. The appeal highlights anxiety among press freedom advocates that Afghan journalists are being targeted amid broader security and immigration enforcement actions.
According to the joint statement issued by the media groups, the situation for Afghan journalists in Pakistan has deteriorated in recent months, marked by arrests, raids, and the issuance of deportation notices against individuals reporting on Afghan affairs. Those affected include reporters, camera operators, and editors affiliated with outlets covering political developments in Afghanistan as well as Pakistan’s Afghan refugee communities. Advocacy groups contend that these actions impede independent reporting and undermine press freedom in a region where journalists already confront security challenges.
The statement urges the Pakistani government to afford Afghan journalists legal protections and due process consistent with international human rights norms, emphasising that arbitrary detentions and summary deportations violate both press freedom and asylum principles. Media groups urged the prime minister to ensure that Afghan journalists are not treated merely as undocumented migrants but are recognised for their professional roles and afforded appropriate procedural safeguards.
Reporters and press organisations note that many Afghan journalists have been residing and working in Pakistan for years, covering issues ranging from the situation in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s return to power to the lives of refugees within Pakistani cities. They argue that disruptions to their work — particularly threats of arrest or expulsion — will stifle crucial coverage at a time of regional political volatility. The media coalition also stressed the broader impact on freedom of expression, warning that punitive measures against journalists will discourage essential reporting and contribute to self-censorship.
In addition to calling on Pakistani authorities to halt arbitrary actions, the coalition appealed to international organisations and diplomatic missions to engage with the government of Pakistan to safeguard the rights of Afghan media professionals. Advocates emphasised the necessity of transparent immigration procedures and respect for journalistic rights in upholding democratic values and regional stability
Reference –
https://thekabultribune.com/en/0003780
