Basir Bakhshi, a YouTube and TikTok content creator, has announced in a public statement that he and his colleague, Karishma Zhakfar, were arrested by Pakistani police on the ninth day of Muharram while covering a religious procession in the Hashnagri area.
According to the statement, the two were present at approximately 6:00 p.m. solely to record videos and prepare media reports for publication on their YouTube and TikTok platforms. They stated that they were not involved in any political, security-related, or unlawful activities.
Bakhshi also highlighted his background as an Afghan filmmaker, content creator, and social activist, noting that much of his work has focused on documenting charitable initiatives, assisting vulnerable families, producing social reports, and participating in humanitarian activities.
The statement further says that both individuals are now at risk of forced deportation to Afghanistan and have expressed serious concerns for their safety, freedom, and lives if they are returned.
Basir Bakhshi and Karishma Zhakfar have called on journalists, human rights organizations, international bodies, and defenders of press freedom to urgently investigate their detention and take immediate action to prevent their forced deportation while ensuring that their legal and human rights are fully respected.
This report is based on a statement issued by Basir Bakhshi. As of now, Pakistani authorities have not released any official statement regarding the case.
