The self-exiled 40 Afghan journalists, together with eight ladies, who left Kabul after Taliban taken over final yr have been awaiting assist from worldwide organisations to settle them in several nations.
Speaking to Anadolu Company, a few of the journalists stated that they had been promised to be taken to some European nations however have been now left within the lurch in Pakistan
“We’re constrained to stay in hostels and rented homes in Islamabad and operating out of financial savings, time, and choices”, they regretted.
“A few of us bought assist from an American NGO, Too Younger to Wed, and even after coming to Pakistan, we had a gathering with their native consultant and defined to him that we can not survive right here for a very long time as we would not have any supply of revenue right here, however nonetheless we’re on a ready checklist,” stated Shabnum Popalzai, an Afghan woman journalist.
One other journalist Azita Nizami stated that self-exiled Afghan journalists can not return, including that that isn’t even an possibility for them. Nizami claimed that she had obtained a direct menace from Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid final yr in October, whereas she was interviewing him for native radio.
“He was aggravated with my presence on the set. Earlier than I may begin the interview, he instructed me that he is aware of about my participation within the demonstration associated to freedom of expression and he instructed me that ‘I mustn’t have accomplished that,’” she stated.
Hades Pardes, a journalist who has additionally arrived from Kabul, is making an attempt to community these self-exiled journalists to achieve out to worldwide organisations for assist.
“We have now all confronted these issues. The principle subject is we can not apply for citizenship standing in Pakistan additionally, as we can not work as journalists right here. We had been scattered. Many individuals have moved out of Afghanistan and settled within the West by claiming they had been journalists. That’s why all of us got here collectively and created this platform,” stated Pardes.
Najibullah Faizi, a senior journalist, stated that they had been compelled to go away Kabul after receiving repeated threats.
All of those journalists moved to Islamabad in March after ready in Kabul for six months. They are saying that their wait is getting longer because the organisations now look reluctant to speak about their subject.
Popalzai stated since they can not apply their career whereas ready in Pakistan, the federal government companies keep watch over them.
A girl journalist instructed Anadolu Company that she saved her identification as a journalist secret and has chosen a distinct title on her passport.
“I’ve a distinct title on my passport. That’s why I used to be in a position to cross the border and enter Pakistan,” she instructed Anadolu Company.
Behishte Shaheed, who was working with Kabul-based Noor TV, stated she had escaped from Afghanistan after receiving threats on Fb Messenger.