Afghan Journalist Younes Qari-Zada Reportedly Detained in Peshawar

DID Press: Pakistani police have reportedly detained Younes Qari-Zada, an Afghan journalist and human rights activist, in the northwestern city of Peshawar and transferred him to an undisclosed location, according to sources cited by Afghan media.

The sources said Qari-Zada was detained on Thursday, September 17, and that there has so far been no clear information about his whereabouts or condition.

According to the sources, Qari-Zada has an asylum case registered with the UNHCR and had previously been detained by Pakistani police several times.

His family and relatives have expressed concern over his fate and called for authorities to clarify his whereabouts and legal status.

The reported detention comes amid increased pressure on Afghan refugees and migrants in Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have intensified arrests and deportations of Afghans, including journalists and media workers who fled Afghanistan after the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

In August, the Peshawar High Court ordered authorities to temporarily halt the arrest or deportation of two Afghan journalists and their families who were awaiting resettlement in a third country, citing the principle of non-refoulement and directing the government to consider their asylum or temporary-stay applications.

No independent source located in the latest search confirmed Qari-Zada’s detention or his current whereabouts. The detention and details concerning his UNHCR case therefore remain based on the accounts of the sources cited by the original report.