Afghan Journalists in Pakistan Fear Deportation Amid Visa Renewals Halt

A group of Afghan journalists residing in Pakistan report that as the crackdown on undocumented migrants intensifies, they face the risk of being forcibly returned to Afghanistan. They express concerns over visa renewals being halted, living in hiding, and fearing arrest, while international organizations voice their worries about the situation confronting Afghan journalists…

Halting Visa Renewals and Growing Concerns

Several Afghan journalists living in Pakistan, who are awaiting resettlement in third countries, indicate that the increasing arrests and deportations of undocumented migrants have put them at risk of being sent back to Afghanistan. Many of these journalists fled to Pakistan after the Taliban regained power in August 2021, and several are now living clandestinely due to the inability to renew their visas. One Afghan journalist, who prefers to remain anonymous, revealed that since July 10, coinciding with the intensified crackdown on undocumented foreigners, numerous Afghan journalists have been arrested and deported back to Afghanistan. According to this journalist, the visa renewal process for Afghans has been suspended since May 2025, complicating the situation for many reporters. He further added that many journalists in cities like Islamabad and Peshawar have been forced to live in hiding due to their visa expirations and constantly fear arrest by the police.

Fear of Return to Afghanistan

This journalist, who collaborated with an international media organization prior to the fall of the previous Afghan government, expressed concerns for his safety if returned to Afghanistan due to his background in media work. Another journalist in Islamabad echoed similar feelings, stating that many Afghan reporters are effectively living under house arrest, waiting for their resettlement applications to be finalized.

RSF: Afghanistan as the Global Exile Hub for Journalists

The exact number of Afghan journalists living in Pakistan is unclear, but the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) recently highlighted in a report for World Refugee Day that no other country has seen as much forced migration of journalists as Afghanistan. They designate Afghanistan as the ‘global center of exile for journalists’ and report that between 2021 and 2025, at least 677 Afghan journalists fled the country due to threats, arrests, or life-threatening situations.

Calls for Support of Afghan Journalists

A number of international organizations advocating for press freedom have previously urged the Pakistani government to ensure the safety of Afghan journalists and refrain from deporting them back to Afghanistan. This plea arises amid concerns that journalists in Afghanistan continue to face severe restrictions, threats, and pressures.

UNAMA: Afghan Media Under Continued Pressure

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) recently reported that journalists and media outlets in Afghanistan are still facing significant restrictions. The report documented multiple instances of journalists being arrested, media activities being suspended, and increased pressure on media organizations. UNAMA also emphasized that economic challenges have led to the closure of numerous media outlets in Afghanistan, further exacerbating the already challenging working environment for journalists.