July 7, 2026
Kabul — The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) welcomes the release of journalist and owner of Paigard News Agency, Jawid Niazi, following more than two months of detention by the Taliban’s General Directorate of Intelligence. However, the agency remains closed, and serious concerns persist regarding restrictions on press freedom and violations of Niazai’s rights.
According to an informed source in Kabul, Jawid Niazi was released around 9 a.m. today, Tuesday, July 7, and has safely reunited with his family. His detention originated from a raid conducted on May 3, 2026, which coincided with International Press Freedom Day. During this raid, GDI agents stormed the Paigard News Agency’s office in Kabul, acting aggressively, and confiscated equipment including two laptops, three smartphones belonging to the agency and its staff, as well as three smartphones from two visiting journalists. Despite requesting to retrieve his belongings on May 6, Niazi was detained, and no public charges have been announced to date.
AFJC said: “The detention of Jawid Niazi without clear charges or due process constitutes a severe violation of his human rights. We call on the Taliban de facto authorities to immediately reopen Paigard News Agency without restrictions or conditions, and to ensure the safety and freedom of all journalists and media personnel currently detained or under threat.”
AFJC further urges the Taliban authorities to release all journalists and media workers in detention, allowing them to exercise their rights freely and work without threats, pressure, or fear of arrest. Currently, at least six journalists and media staff members remain detained by de facto authorities in the GDI detention centers and Bagram prison.