Nai in Exile, a media watchdog, has called on the Pakistani government to immediately stop detaining and deporting Afghan journalists, warning that those returned to Afghanistan could face serious threats to their safety.
In a statement, Nai in Exile urged Pakistani authorities to release Jafar Niazi, a reporter who was detained by police on Thursday evening in the Faisal Town neighborhood of Islamabad.
Niazi has previously worked with local radio stations and some international organizations. According to the group, he is now at imminent risk of deportation.
“This situation has sparked concern among a large number of Afghan journalists and media workers currently residing in Pakistan,” the organization said. “These individuals fear for their safety if returned to Afghanistan, where they could face serious risks, including threats to their lives.”
The arrest comes amid a broader crackdown on Afghan refugees in Pakistan, where authorities have launched an expansive deportation campaign. Figures show more than 10,000 Afghans were expelled in a single day on Wednesday, Nov. 12, and another 10,000 on Tuesday, Nov. 11, as part of what Islamabad describes as an effort to remove undocumented migrants.
In July, Pakistan quietly suspended the renewal of visas for Afghan citizens, leaving many—including former journalists, civil society workers, and students—stranded in legal limbo. Advocacy groups warn that the policy, combined with sweeping deportations, has placed thousands at risk of being forcibly returned to a country where they could face retaliation from the Taliban.
Rights organizations, including Nai in Exile, say Afghan journalists are particularly vulnerable. Since retaking control of the country, the Taliban have shuttered dozens of media outlets, arrested journalists, and imposed sweeping restrictions on free speech—especially for women and those reporting on human rights violations.
Nai in Exile urged Pakistani officials to respect international refugee protections and halt the forced return of those at risk of persecution. The group also called on the government to offer temporary protections and legal pathways for journalists who have fled Afghanistan.
“Journalists and media professionals who have sought refuge in Pakistan must be protected from arbitrary detention and deportation, in line with international human rights law,” the statement said.
Separately, several Afghan refugees in Islamabad told Amu TV they have been threatened with eviction from their homes in recent days. Many say they fear going outside, fearing arrest or expulsion, and lack access to legal recourse.
Pakistan hosts an estimated 1.7 million Afghans, many of whom arrived during previous waves of conflict. But the recent shift in policy has raised alarm among international agencies and human rights groups, who argue that mass expulsions without due process may violate refugee conventions.
