The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) says that five Afghan journalists have been detained by Pakistani police over the past two weeks.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 2, AMSO said that Samim Forough Faizi, a journalist, and Attaullah Shirzad, a cameraman, are among those detained.
According to AMSO, some of the journalists have refrained from publicly disclosing their identities due to security threats.
The organization noted that the individuals have since been released, but security threats, arbitrary arrests, and unlawful detentions continue.
The statement added: “Following the collapse of the former republican system in Afghanistan, dozens of Afghan journalists were forced to seek refuge in Pakistan due to their professional activities, censorship, security threats, and political pressure. Unfortunately, over the past several years, they have faced an insecure, unstable, and fear-ridden life in the country.”
According to the statement, the Pakistani government has not extended visas for Afghan asylum seekers.
AMSO has called on media support organizations and human rights groups to support Afghan journalists in Pakistan.
Human rights organizations report that in recent months, Pakistan has deported several at-risk Afghan refugees back to Afghanistan.
