Around 20 Afghan Journalists Arrested in Pakistan This Year, RSF Says

The press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says the government of Pakistan has arrested around 20 Afghan journalists since the beginning of 2026, with some reportedly deported to Afghanistan by force. According to RSF, arrests and harassment of Afghan journalists in Pakistan have increased since February 27, as tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan escalated. The organization condemned what it described as actions taken by Pakistani authorities against the journalists. RSF also reported that nearly 15 journalists have been forcibly returned to Afghanistan over the past two weeks. The developments come as clashes have recently erupted between Afghan forces and Pakistani troops, pushing tensions between the two countries into what observers describe as a dangerous phase. Reports indicate that hundreds of civilians have been killed and many others injured since the conflict began. Meanwhile, Ali Mohiuddin Al-Qaradaghi, head of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, has issued a religious ruling declaring the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan forbidden under Islamic law and has called on both sides to immediately end the fighting.