February 2nd, 2022
By Rehan Piracha
LAHORE
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Committee to Protect Journalists have called for the release of two Afghan journalists arrested in Kabul.
As per reports, men who identified themselves as members of the Taliban government arrested Hijab, a reporter, and Hasrat, manager of political programs and a political presenter, both with the independent broadcaster Ariana News TV, at the entrance of the outlet’s headquarters in District 3 of Kabul on Janauary 31.
In a statement issued on February 2, the PFUJ strongly condemned the arrest of two independent journalists.
PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi called for immediate release of both the journalists. They urged the United Nation organisations and international agencies working in Afghanistan to intervene for the release of both the journalists.
“In view of ensuring safety and security of media community in Afghanistan the situation demands immediate action by the international community for the protection of journalists in Afghanistan,” the PFUJ said.
“We will standby with independent journalists of Afghanistan and keep raising voices for them whenever it is needed,” the PFUJ said.
The PFUJ said human lives were already under serious crisis and threats due to extreme weather and food situations in the war-ravaged country.
Afghanistan needed support from the entire world community but the question was who would come forward in such a situation, the PFUJ leadership sai
In a statement, the CPJ said the Taliban must immediately release journalists Waris Hasrat and Aslam Hijab and stop detaining members of the press.
“The Taliban must immediately and unconditionally release Ariana News journalists Waris Hasrat and Aslam Hijab, and stop the arbitrary arrests of media personnel,” said Steven Butler, CPJ’s Asia program coordinator, in Washington, D.C.
“The continued harassment and arrest of journalists is destroying what had been an immensely valuable asset for the Afghan people: a thriving media culture,” he said.
