A women’s movement based in Pakistan in a statement on Wednesday condemned the detention of political analyst Jawed Kohistani by the Taliban, calling it a violation of human rights and a sign of neglect toward political prisoners in the country.
The movement expressed concern over Kohistani’s health, noting that he suffers from a heart condition and requires urgent medical treatment.
“His lack of access to essential medical care, coupled with the inhumane conditions in prison, could have irreversible consequences for his health,” the group said in a statement.
Kohistani was arrested by Taliban intelligence forces last Thursday, September 26, in the Khair Khana district of Kabul.
The reason for his arrest remains unclear, and the Taliban have yet to make any official statement on the matter.
In response, the women’s movement, Junbish-e-Fanoos Azadi Zanan, has called on human rights organizations and international bodies to intervene immediately and take steps to secure Kohistani’s release.
“We cannot remain silent in the face of this injustice and demand full support for the rights of all political prisoners,” the movement said.
Kohistani had fled Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in 2021, but he returned to Kabul following the Taliban’s announcement of a general amnesty last summer.
