Pakistan police detain Afghan journalist in Islamabad
Pakistani police have detained freelance Afghan journalist Ubaidullah Ahmadi in Islamabad, heightening concerns over the safety of exiled reporters facing possible forced deportation.
Sources in Islamabad said that freelance Afghan journalist Ubaidullah Ahmadi has been detained by Pakistani police, with no official explanation so far.
The reason for Ahmadi’s arrest remains unclear, and Pakistani police have not issued any statement confirming or detailing the detention.
His arrest comes as Pakistani authorities have intensified house-to-house inspections in Islamabad aimed at identifying undocumented Afghan migrants for detention and forced deportation.
In recent weeks, dozens of Afghan journalists have reportedly been detained during these operations, according to media workers and advocacy groups monitoring the situation.
Despite their vulnerable status, most remain without long-term legal protection, leaving them exposed to arrest, harassment and possible deportation under Pakistan’s tightened migration policies.
Several detained journalists have warned that forced return to Afghanistan would put their lives at serious risk, given ongoing threats from the current administration.
The latest detention has renewed concerns among rights groups and media organizations, who are urging Pakistan to protect exiled journalists and uphold press freedom obligations.
Many Afghan journalists fled to Pakistan after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, citing direct threats, censorship and reprisals linked to their reporting and public work.
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