Reporters Without Borders Warns of Arrests and Deportations of Afghan Journalists in Pakistan

Reporters Without Borders Warns of Arrests and Deportations of Afghan Journalists in Pakistan
—————————————-
The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders has warned about a growing crackdown on Afghan journalists living in Pakistan, amid a wider security campaign targeting Afghan refugees across the country.

In a recent report, the organization said Pakistani authorities have carried out a new wave of arrests involving Afghan refugees, including journalists who fled Afghanistan after political changes there. Several journalists have reportedly been detained in different Pakistani cities and transferred to detention centers during the past few days.

According to the report, at least six Afghan journalists supported by the organization have been forcibly deported to Afghanistan within the past 15 days, even though some of them possessed valid residency or visa documents. Journalists cited in the report described repeated visits by police to their homes and brief detentions despite having legal documentation.

Some journalists also reported difficult living conditions, including isolation, shortages of food, and limited access to basic necessities. Others said they were forced to pay money to local police officers to avoid deportation.

The organization noted that Afghanistan’s media environment has significantly deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. In its 2025 World Press Freedom Index, Afghanistan ranked 175th out of 180 countries, reflecting severe restrictions on journalists and independent media.

The report estimates that about 200 Afghan journalists and their families have taken refuge in Pakistan, while resettlement efforts to third countries remain slow or stalled. It also noted that at least 20 Afghan journalists had been forcibly deported from Pakistan to Afghanistan by 2025.