(PPF/IFEX) – Two Pakistani journalists have been arrested by members of the Taliban in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan and put on trial on unknown charges. Saleem Shahzad, correspondent of “The Star” daily and the Hong Kong-based Asia Times Online, and another journalist, Qamar Yousafzai, have been detained by Taliban commander Matiullah. “The Star” […]
(PPF/IFEX) – Two Pakistani journalists have been arrested by members of the Taliban in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan and put on trial on unknown charges. Saleem Shahzad, correspondent of “The Star” daily and the Hong Kong-based Asia Times Online, and another journalist, Qamar Yousafzai, have been detained by Taliban commander Matiullah.
“The Star” reported that Shahzad reached Helmand on 19 November 2006 to cover the insurgency in the region and activities of the Taliban inside Afghanistan.
Hameed Haroon, chief executive of Dawn Group, which owns “The Star”, expressed fear that the lives of the journalists may be in danger and appealed for help from international organisations to secure their release.
