The Peshawar High Court on August 4 barred the deportation of two Afghan journalists, Syed Munir Ahmad Hadaf and Syed Enamullah Salehi, and their families for two months. The same directive was also given for a former Afghan military officer.

A bench comprising Justice Wiqar Ahmad and Justice Kamran Hayat Miankhel directed the federal government to decide their temporary stay requests within the same period.

During this period, law enforcement agencies were barred from arresting or deporting the petitioners. If no decision is made within 60 days, the Interior Secretary must issue temporary permits allowing them to remain in Pakistan.

The journalists’ counsel, Advocate Syed Shafqat Ali Shah, said they faced threats from the Taliban due to their journalistic activities and had resettlement applications endorsed by the French Embassy.