The Peshawar High Court has halted the afghan journalists deportation process, granting the federal government a 60-day window to reach a formal decision on their pending status and petitions. A division bench at the high court issued the interim relief after reviewing pleas filed by two Afghan media workers who fled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the political shift in Kabul, citing immediate security threats if forced to return across the border.

Key Facts at a Glance

- Court Decision: Peshawar High Court (PHC) stays the immediate expulsion of two Afghan journalists.
- Federal Deadline: Ministry of Interior ordered to review and dispose of their cases within 60 days.
- Mass Repatriation: Punjab official reports document 140,468 undocumented Afghan nationals deported to date.
- Legal Status: Interim relief applies to the individual petitioners while the nationwide deportation campaign continues.

High Court Ruling Temporarily Blocks Expulsion

The court order provides urgent relief to the two media professionals who sought sanctuary in Pakistan. Representation submitted to the bench highlighted that returning to Afghanistan would place the journalists' physical safety and professional capabilities under severe pressure. Accepting the urgency of their petition, the court restrained law enforcement and immigration officials from taking adverse steps against the two individuals while their legal claims are formally evaluated.

By establishing a rigid 60-day deadline, the bench has mandated the Ministry of Interior to determine whether these individuals qualify for temporary stay extensions, humanitarian exemptions, or safe transit arrangements to third countries. The directive places responsibility back on central executive institutions to assess individual risk profiles before carrying out administrative removal.

Understanding the Legal Basis for Afghan Journalists Deportation Relief

High courts across Pakistan have increasingly become pivotal legal forums for vulnerable groups seeking relief from mandatory repatriation orders. Under Article 199 of the Constitution of Pakistan, provincial high courts maintain jurisdiction to review executive actions that may breach fundamental individual rights or established administrative norms.

For Afghan media personnel, the situation remains notably delicate. Numerous media workers relocated to cities like Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad post-2021, awaiting visa approvals for Western resettlement programs. As international processing backlogs lengthen into years, many individuals faced expired Pakistani visas, rendering them liable to action under the Foreigners Act of 1946. The PHC stay highlights that ongoing enforcement drives are subject to judicial oversight when acute individual risk is demonstrated.

Punjab Repatriation Numbers Cross 140,000

The judicial stay order coincides with an active, multi-phase national initiative targeting foreign citizens residing in Pakistan without valid legal documentation. Figures compiled in Punjab demonstrate that provincial authorities have processed and deported 140,468 Afghan nationals since the launch of the ongoing repatriation drive.

These enforcement operations rely on localized holding centers in major urban districts, where individuals lacking active visas, Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), or Proof of Registration (PoR) documents are processed prior to transport. Deportations are primarily funneled through primary border facilities at Torkham in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Chaman in Balochistan. Similar administrative actions continue across Sindh, Balochistan, and the federal capital territory.

Practical Guidance for Affected Journalists and Asylum Seekers

If you or someone you know is an Afghan journalist or vulnerable foreign national navigating legal status challenges in Pakistan, consider taking these practical measures:
- Keep Complete Documentation: Always carry official registration records, UNHCR asylum seeker certificates, expired visa renewal receipts, or active judicial stay orders.
- Seek Legal Counsel Early: Contact recognized legal aid panels or human rights organizations before administrative detention notices are issued.
- Inform Professional Networks: Document your situation with regional journalists' bodies, including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) or media rights organizations.
- File Constitutional Petitions: If facing imminent deportation despite active risk factors, consult legal counsel regarding a writ petition in the relevant High Court (PHC, IHC, or LHC).

What to Watch Next in Pakistan Repatriation Policy

Over the coming two months, federal authorities must finalize their response regarding the two petitioners. key areas to observe include:
- Whether the Interior Ministry formulates a dedicated protocol for high-risk categories such as journalists and human rights workers.
- How local law enforcement coordinates with judicial stay orders during routine field inspections and check-post operations.
- Decisions on similar writ petitions currently pending before the Islamabad and Lahore High Courts.