Pakistani police have released Farishta Sadaid, an Afghan journalist in exile, after holding her in a migrant detention camp for 72 hours.
Afghan journalists based in Islamabad confirmed that Ms. Sadaid was allowed to leave the “Haji Camp” refugee detention facility on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 16.
According to her colleagues, they were able to secure her exit permit and a flight ticket for travel abroad after extensive efforts, which ultimately led to her release from custody.
Farishta Sadaid was arrested by Pakistani police on Monday, April 14, for not having a valid visa. Sources say the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and international media support organizations worked over the past two days to secure her freedom.
Her detention raised renewed concerns about the fate of hundreds of vulnerable Afghan migrants in Pakistan—individuals who fled threats from the Taliban and now face the risk of forced deportation.
In recent weeks, Pakistani authorities have launched widespread operations to identify and detain undocumented migrants, including those holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACCs). According to migration sources, tens of thousands of Afghan migrants have been returned to Afghanistan in the past two weeks as part of these crackdowns.
