RASC News Agency: Amidst the Taliban’s widespread arbitrary detentions across diverse provinces, sources in Parwan bring forth news of the apprehension of a journalist who recently returned from Iran. In Parwan, it has come to light that the Taliban detained Zamir Zaheer, a local journalist and former employee of the provincial governor’s office, on Tuesday, December 5th, in the village of Qala Sahra, located in the Jabul-Saraj district of Parwan province, for reasons undisclosed.
Information from Parwan sources discloses that Mr. Zaheer, concurrently engaged in journalism and provincial governance, had ventured to Iran post the Taliban’s ascent to power and had only recently re-entered the country. It is of significance to note that the Taliban remains reticent about the specifics of Mr. Zaheer’s detention. This unfolds at a juncture where, subsequent to the Taliban’s assumption of control, a substantial exodus of journalists and media personnel from the country to neighboring nations has taken place.
It is noteworthy that the Taliban’s imposition of numerous restrictions on journalists and media entities in Afghanistan has propelled journalists into a realm of profound self-censorship. It is imperative to underscore that the Taliban, on various occasions and for diverse reasons, has arrested journalists and media officials, subjecting them to torture and imprisonment. Presently, numerous journalists find themselves incarcerated in the group’s prisons.
The Taliban’s aggressive and inappropriate treatment of journalists and media professionals has compelled a multitude of these individuals to flee their homeland, driven by fear of the group.
