Statement by the Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile

The Federation of Afghan Journalists in Exile expresses deep concern over the attack on Ahmad Sohail Partaw, a journalist with Afghan News 24, and his wife by unknown assailants near Sir Syed Camp in Rawalpindi.

According to Mr. Partaw, around 3:30 PM today, several individuals armed with sharp weapons assaulted him and his wife, beating them and warning that he would be killed if he continued his media activities in Pakistan.

Both Mr. Partaw and his wife sustained head injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Mr. Partaw stated that the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is aware of the security challenges they face and that today’s incident has also been reported to the agency.

The Federation condemns this attack and urges Pakistani security forces to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

It also calls on organizations working on journalist protection cases to pay greater attention to processing journalist asylum claims and to assist them in relocating to safe third countries.

This incident follows another attack just a week ago, when journalist Nasir Ahmad Behroz was assaulted by armed individuals in the Bahara Kahu bypass area.