Afghan media group condemns arrests and expulsion in Islamabad

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 12 January 2026 |  JP Monitoring Desk

AMSO said Pakistani police in Islamabad detained four Afghan journalists and expelled another, calling the actions illegal and a threat to press freedom; it urged immediate release, an end to punitive measures, and international support for journalists' safety.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — The Afghanistan Media Support Organization condemned the arrest of four Afghan journalists and the forced expulsion of another by Pakistani police in the capital, calling the actions illegal and a serious threat to press freedom. AMSO said the detentions and deportations undermine the safety of Afghan media personnel working in Pakistan and called on authorities to release the detained individuals and halt further punitive measures immediately. The statement from AMSO also urged the international community and press freedom groups to take urgent action to support Afghan journalists facing these challenges.

Pressures on Afghan journalists in Pakistan

In its statement, AMSO said the arrests and expulsions were part of a wider pattern of harassment that includes visa and residency restrictions, intimidation, and administrative obstacles that impede journalists from carrying out their work in Pakistan. The organization stressed that Afghan journalists often live under precarious legal conditions, with many awaiting visa renewals or legal status determinations that remain unresolved.

Broader risks for media workers abroad

Press freedom advocates say the situation reflects broader risks facing media workers from conflict states who seek safety abroad. Restrictions on Afghan journalists in Pakistan not only affect their reporting but also erode independent information channels for communities reliant on cross-border news coverage.

Calls for legal protection and support

AMSO also called for guarantees to protect the lives and dignity of Afghan media personnel and for Pakistan to facilitate visa renewals to prevent further insecurity. The organization appealed to human rights bodies to intervene and ensure that media workers are not left without legal protection or at risk of deportation.

International human rights concerns

Human rights groups such as Reporters Without Borders have documented cases in which Pakistan forcibly returned Afghan journalists to Afghanistan, raising concerns about breaches of international refugee protections and the principle of non-refoulement. They note that Afghan journalists face serious threats if returned to their home country, where press freedom has been severely restricted under the current authorities.

Ongoing enforcement and risks

The heightened enforcement actions by Pakistani authorities come amid increased scrutiny of Afghan nationals in urban areas of Pakistan, with human rights observers warning that arrests and deportations could expose journalists to significant danger. Families of detained journalists have voiced fears that forced returns could put their loved ones at risk of reprisals upon their return to Afghanistan.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting for this story is based on verified coverage by news agencies and statements from the Afghanistan Media Support Organization.

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