Pakistan Must Stop Deporting Afghan Journalists, Says Rights Group
The Afghanistan Journalists Support Organization (AJSO) on Friday, 29 March, demanded an end to the arrests, harassment, and deportations of Afghan journalists in Pakistan.
The group highlighted the dire circumstances faced by journalists who fled Taliban threats, only to encounter further risks in Pakistan due to unrenewed or rejected legal documents.
AJSO pressed Pakistani authorities to cease detentions and ensure safe living conditions for these journalists, while calling for legal protections via the United Nations and other global bodies. It urged media, free speech advocates, and human rights groups to act swiftly to address the crisis, warning that ongoing pressures threaten freedom of expression.
Pakistan’s deadline for Afghan nationals’ voluntary return expires on 31 March, with local media reporting on Thursday that the government will not extend it. Earlier, Amnesty International also called for a halt to Afghan migrant deportations.
