A Pakistani high court has intervened to block the arrest and deportation of two Afghan journalists and their families, who fear persecution if forced back to Afghanistan. The Peshawar High Court's ruling, issued on August 10, 2026, not only halts immediate action against them but also pushes the federal government to decide their fate under the principle of non-refoulement—a legal safeguard that prohibits returning people to countries where they face serious harm. Main Developments Two nearly identical petitions, filed by journalists Syed Munir Ahmad Hadaf and Syed Enamullah Salehi, prompted the court's intervention. A two-member bench, comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel, disposed of both cases with a shared five-page judgment that referred the matter to the federal government for a final decision on temporary stay or asylum. The court explicitly restrained law enforcement agencies from arresting or deporting the petitioners for 60 days, or until the government reaches a decision—whichever comes first. If the government fails to rule within that window, the Interior Ministry must issue temporary permits allowing the journalists and their families to remain in Pakistan until a final determination is made. Read also: Why Chitral's flood recovery depends on volunteers, not the state Both journalists argued they face "cruel and inhuman treatment" if returned to Afghanistan, citing threats from the Taliban linked to their professional work. The court acknowledged these fears and noted that their cases for third-country resettlement are already pending, with the French Embassy having given an endorsement for at least one of them. Background The ruling builds on a pattern of similar cases that the Peshawar High Court has previously referred to the federal government. In those earlier instances, the court also restrained authorities from deporting the individuals for 60 days or until a government decision, and the bench reasoned that the current petitioners "cannot be treated differently." Hadaf, who served as provincial coordinator for the Afghanistan National Journalist Union and worked with Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), submitted his employment contract and supporting documents to the court. His lawyer, Advocate Syed Shafqat Ali Shah, revealed that Hadaf had applied for a French visa for himself and his family, and that the French Embassy had confirmed the validity of the communication. Salehi, meanwhile, resides in Pakistan lawfully on a valid visa and had applied for resettlement in France in 2026, with his application still pending. He previously worked as an investigative journalist with Salam Afghanistan Media Organisation (SAMO) and produced his service card as evidence. Why It Matters This decision underscores the precarious situation of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, particularly journalists who face heightened risks from the Taliban. The court's reliance on non-refoulement—a principle rooted in international law—signals that Pakistani courts are willing to scrutinize deportation orders when lives are at stake. The ruling also highlights a broader tension: while Pakistan has been cracking down on undocumented Afghan migrants, it cannot ignore the dangers that certain individuals would face upon return. By compelling the federal government to assess each case on its merits, the court has created a procedural safeguard that could benefit other Afghan nationals in similar peril. What's Next The federal government now has two months to decide whether Hadaf, Salehi, and their families qualify for asylum, sojourn, or temporary stay. If no decision is reached within that period, the Interior Ministry must issue temporary permits to keep them in Pakistan legally. Until then, law enforcement agencies are barred from arresting or deporting the journalists solely because of their presence in the country. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for other Afghan journalists and activists facing similar threats, though the government's ultimate stance remains uncertain.