News Center – The condition of Afghan refugee journalists in Pakistan have seen a notable deterioration in recent months, with escalating security and administrative restrictions hindering their work and limiting their freedom, amid warnings that the continuation of these pressures may threaten the future of media activity and expose media workers to increasing risks.

The Afghan Media Support Organization (AMSO) expressed concern over what it described as an escalation in cases of arrest, harassment, and deportation of Afghan journalists in Pakistan, especially women, considering that these practices pose a serious threat to the media community.

In a statement, the organization said that Pakistani police arrested three Afghan journalists in the past two weeks, noting that one female journalist was deported along with her family to Afghanistan while two journalists remain in detention.

The organization calle on the Pakistani government and security agencies to stop the arrest and harassment of journalists and abide by their international commitments, affirming that journalists are” not criminals, but conveyors of truth.” It warned that the deportation of journalists and their families could expose them ot serious security risks, in cleat violation of international human rights instruments.

The organization also called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and human rights organizations to take practical steps to support Afghan journalists and pressure Pakistani authorities to ensure their safety.

The situation of Afghan journalists in Pakistan has become increasingly precarious since the return of the Taliban to power in 2021, as many were forced to leave their country due to threats, restructions, problems related to unclear residency status, lack of legal protection, and the risk of arrest or deportation.

At the same time, press freedom organizations have repeatedly warned that the absence of a clear protection framework for asylum-seeking jounalists makes them vulnerable to increasing security and administrative pressures. Recent reports of the arrest and deportation of journalists, especially women, have raised concerns about the future of media work and the safety of media workers in neighboring countries.