Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization Warns About Deteriorating Situation of Journalists in Pakistan

Weezha Roz-Kabul-The Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization (AJSO) has condemned the alarming situation faced by Afghan journalists in Pakistan in a new statement and called for immediate international action to support these individuals.

The organization described the situation, including recent arrests and systemic pressures on journalists, as “disturbing and a blatant violation of human rights.”

The statement mentions that in the past two days, Pakistani police in Islamabad have arrested two Afghan journalists, including Zakia Kavyan.

AJSO has refrained from disclosing the name of the first journalist for security reasons.

These actions are part of a broader trend of house-to-house inspections and targeted arrests by the police against Afghan migrants.

Reports indicate that Pakistani police have even been requesting bribes (up to 400) from journalists with valid visas to secure their release from detention.

The Pakistani government has reduced the validity of Afghan visas from three months to one month and increased the renewal fee to100 per person.

These changes have placed significant financial pressure on journalists and refugees, leaving many in vulnerable conditions.

The Federal German Admission Program (BAP), which was supposed to transfer 1,000 vulnerable Afghans per month, has been delayed due to administrative issues, with only a limited number of people successfully receiving visas.

AJSO has urged the Pakistani government to adhere to human rights commitments and refrain from arbitrary arrests and threats of expulsion against journalists.

The organization has also called on the international community and organizations like the United Nations to expedite the resettlement process for journalists in third countries to prevent a humanitarian crisis.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has also increased pressure on Germany to expedite visa issuance under the BAP program.

According to RSF, more than 3,000 Afghan journalists are still waiting for transfer in Pakistan.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), there are around 1.34 million legal Afghan migrants and 468,800 illegal migrants in Pakistan.

Since 2023, more than 820,000 Afghans have been deported to their country, many of whom are journalists and media activists.

Summary:
The situation for Afghan journalists in Pakistan has reached a critical point.

A combination of harsh immigration policies, police corruption, and delays in international resettlement programs has placed these individuals in a state of “limbo” marked by insecurity and instability.

AJSO and international organizations warn that without immediate intervention, a new wave of expulsions and arrests will endanger the lives of journalists.

Weezha Roz