Panah Press | Exclusive Report | Sunday, 25 October 2026
Several Afghan journalists were detained by Pakistani police in Islamabad on 23 and 24 October and transferred to Haji Camp. Shahpour Naibzada, an Afghan journalist, confirmed the detentions in an exclusive interview with Panah Press, saying that the detained journalists remain at the facility.
The identities of these journalists are known; however, their names are being withheld at their request. Concerns about deportation to Afghanistan and potential threats to their lives have been cited as key reasons for keeping their identities confidential.
According to information provided during the interview, the detained journalists had been waiting for interview appointments from the French, Canadian and Spanish embassies to process their asylum applications. They were detained while still awaiting progress in their cases.
Efforts to Secure the Journalists’ Release Continue
Despite the detention of these journalists, no public statement has been issued about the incident so far. According to Naibzada, this is because the detainees themselves requested that the case remain confidential, a request linked to their security concerns.
The Forum of Afghan Journalists in Exile (FAJE), together with other organizations, is working to secure the journalists’ release. However, the possible timing of their release remains unknown.
Naibzada said he has additional documents, photographs and information about the incident. However, because the detained journalists have not authorized the publication of these materials, he is refraining from releasing them. For the same reason, their names and identifying details have also been withheld from this report.
Visas, Asylum and Financial Hardship: Challenges Facing Afghan Journalists in Pakistan
The difficulties faced by Afghan journalists in Pakistan are not limited to the recent detentions. The failure to extend visas, long waits for asylum interview appointments, limited employment opportunities, rising rents, increasing food costs and financial pressures are among the challenges making their lives more difficult.
For journalists who have left Afghanistan because of security concerns and are waiting for their asylum applications to be processed, uncertainty over their residency status and an unclear future can create additional pressure. The recent detentions have also heightened concerns about their safety and fate.
However, based on the information available to Panah Press, the exact number of detained journalists, the legal grounds for their detention and the possible timing of their release remain unclear.
Panah Press will publish further details if new and verifiable information about the journalists’ situation becomes available.
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