Afghan Journalist Attacked & Severely Injured In Pakistan

Afghan Journalists in Exile and several other sources reported that Abdul Aleem Saqib, also known as Ahmad Hanayesh, an Afghan journalist based in Islamabad, has been attacked by unidentified individuals.
Hanayesh sustained injuries to his foot and head and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

Based on statements from the journalist’s family, the Afghan Journalists in Exile described his condition as dire and stated that he is awaiting surgery at the hospital.

Images of Hanayesh, showing him bloodied on a hospital bed, have also been circulating on social media.

Authorities in Islamabad have not yet commented on this matter.

In a statement, it had been mentioned that Hanayesh is the head of “Kahkashan Media Network”. He, along with his family, is awaiting a US visa in Pakistan. The Afghan Journalists in Exile also stated that this journalist has been a reporter for Radio Azadi in Afghanistan for about two decades.

Afghan journalists in Exile have urged the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and destination countries to expedite the processing of immigration cases for Afghan journalists.

The statement said that there are reports that Afghan journalists and media personnel are even more vulnerable in third countries than in their own country, and the reason for this has been attributed to the diplomatic presence of the Taliban in those countries.

This institute stated that Afghan journalists in third countries have previously been targeted for assassination and assaults. For instance, in recent weeks, Mirwais Khawarin, former head of the Afghan Senate television, was severely injured due to an attack by armed individuals in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Following the takeover of the Taliban in August 2021, a significant number of journalists left for third countries like Pakistan and Iran to pursue their immigration cases to European and North American countries.