Kabul, Feb 2 (NationPress) A total of five Afghan journalists were apprehended by the Pakistani police in the last fortnight, according to disclosures from the Afghanistan Media Support Organisation (AMSO), as reported by local media on Monday.

As per AMSO, among those detained were journalist Samim Forough Faizi and cameraman Ataullah Shirzad, while others opted to remain anonymous due to the associated security threats, as reported by Khaama Press, a leading news agency in Afghanistan. The AMSO confirmed that these journalists have since been released but emphasized that arbitrary detentions and ongoing insecurity continue to pose significant threats to Afghan reporters living in Pakistan.

The AMSO highlighted that many Afghan journalists sought refuge in Pakistan after the Taliban takeover, fleeing threats, censorship, and political oppression in Afghanistan. The organization noted that Afghan journalists and their families are currently experiencing precarious situations in Pakistan, particularly since Islamabad has not been renewing visas for numerous Afghan refugees.

Human rights organizations have expressed concerns that increasing deportations and stricter immigration regulations have worsened the situation for Afghan journalists looking for safety and resettlement opportunities abroad. AMSO has called on international media and human rights entities to bolster support for Afghan journalists grappling with insecurity and legal challenges in Pakistan.

In an update from January 29, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that approximately 17,870 Afghans returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan via border crossing points such as Torkham, Ghulam Khan, Chaman, Badini, and Bahramcha during the period from January 18 to 24.

The report indicated a 1% decrease in the number of returns from January 18-24, while deportations saw a 12% increase compared to the previous week (January 11-17). The figures recorded during January 18-24 included 17,870 returns, with 1,666 deportations, in contrast to 17,970 returns and 1,485 deportations reported from January 11-17.

Previously, the Taliban has pointed out that the challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan are escalating and urged the Pakistani government to honor refugee rights while ceasing the arrests and harassment of Afghan migrants, according to local media.

"Unfortunately, the difficulties confronting Afghan refugees in Pakistan are intensifying, with arrests, harassment, and mistreatment by Pakistani officials on the rise, placing refugees in severe distress," stated Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban's deputy spokesperson, in an audio message reported by Pajhwok Afghan News.

Fitrat has called on the United Nations and relevant organizations to uphold refugee protection standards and intervene in countries where refugee rights are being violated.

He also emphasized that Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan require economic support and cooperation, insisting that the Pakistani government must be compelled to respect refugee rights, adhere to international refugee conventions, and cease the arrests and harassment of Afghan refugees, according to Pajhwok Afghan News.