Afghan Media Agency Head Detained by Taliban Intelligence in Kabul

DID Press: Afghanistan Media Support Organization says Ahmad Javid Niazi, head of the Paigard News Agency, has been detained by Taliban intelligence forces in Kabul, raising renewed concerns over press freedom in Afghanistan.

According to the organization, Taliban intelligence personnel arrested Niazi on Thursday night from his office in the Afghan capital. Family members say they have not received clear information regarding his whereabouts or health condition since the arrest.

The media watchdog described the detention as “a serious obstacle to freedom of expression and independent media activity” in Afghanistan.

The Taliban authorities have not yet issued an official statement regarding the arrest.

Based on figures released by Afghan media organizations, at least five journalists — including Bashir Hatef, Hamid Farahi, Shakib Nazari, and Abuzar Sarem — are currently being held in detention.

Human rights groups and media advocacy organizations have repeatedly accused the Taliban of arbitrary arrests of journalists, restricting media activities, and creating an atmosphere of fear for reporters and independent outlets.

The Taliban, however, maintain that they support media operations within what they describe as “Islamic and national values.”

The Afghanistan Media Support Organization has called on the Taliban to “immediately and unconditionally” release Ahmad Javid Niazi and all detained journalists.