# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Refuge for journalists" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 1st, 2025:* The article addresses the dire situation of *Afghan journalists* who face severe restrictions and persecution under the *Taliban regime*. These media workers have *access to news* but lack the *freedom to report* truthfully, living in constant *fear of detention*, *abduction*, *torture*, and even *murder* if they speak out against the regime. The *West*, which bears significant responsibility for *Afghanistan's crisis*, has largely denied space to *Afghan media persons*, leaving many desperate to escape their oppressive homeland for safer countries. The article calls upon *Pakistan* to show *compassion* and halt the deportation of *Afghan media workers* currently in Pakistan, as they face *persecution* if forced to return. The *Committee to Protect Journalists* and other *rights groups* have urged Pakistan to suspend its *Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan* launched in *October 2024*, which has already resulted in over *one million Afghans* being sent back. The plan also calls on countries worldwide to ensure *safe and legal passage* for *Afghan refugees* and *asylum seekers*, including *writers*, *journalists*, *artists*, *human rights defenders*, and others at risk. Media restrictions in Afghanistan have caused a dramatic decline in *press freedom*, with the country ranking *178 out of 180* on the *World Press Index* by *Reporters Without Borders*, compared to *122* before the *Taliban* retook *Kabul* in *2021*. Individuals whose *views* and *reportage* clash with *Taliban ideology* are being systematically targeted, while *terror* is used to control large sections of *youth* who reject the *extremist power structure*. The article emphasizes that Pakistan must provide a *safe sanctuary* to proponents of *free speech*, *culture*, and *human rights* to ensure that *truth* and *people* are not left at the mercy of a *repressive regime*. It concludes by highlighting the sobering lessons from present-day Afghanistan, noting that *media freedom* preserves a *pluralistic*, *united*, and *free society*, while a country that *silences journalists* is doomed to live in *darkness*, whereas an *unfettered press* guarantees *peace* and *justice* for all. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Afghan journalists* face *persecution*, *detention*, and *murder* under the *Taliban regime*, with *Afghanistan* ranking *178/180* on the *World Press Index*. The *Committee to Protect Journalists* urges *Pakistan* to suspend its *deportation plan* that has sent back over *one million Afghans* since *October 2024*. Pakistan should provide *safe sanctuary* to *Afghan media workers* at risk, as *media freedom* preserves *pluralistic societies* while *silencing journalists* leads to *darkness* and *repression*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Suspend Deportation Plan* Pakistan should immediately halt its *Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan* for *Afghan journalists* and *media workers*. ## *2. Grant Special Visas* Issue *special humanitarian visas* for *Afghan journalists*, *artists*, and *human rights defenders* at risk. ## *3. International Cooperation* Collaborate with *UN agencies* and *international organizations* to establish *safe corridors* for *Afghan refugees*. ## *4. Create Journalist Sanctuary Program* Establish dedicated *refuge programs* specifically for *media professionals* fleeing *Taliban persecution*. ## *5. Facilitate Third-Country Resettlement* Work with *Western countries* to provide *safe and legal passage* for *Afghan asylum seekers*. ## *6. Strengthen Protection Mechanisms* Enhance *security measures* for *Afghan journalists* already in Pakistan to prevent *harassment* or *intimidation*. ## *7. Document Human Rights Violations* Maintain detailed records of *Taliban persecution* to support *asylum claims* internationally. ## *8. Engage International Media* Partner with *global media organizations* to highlight the plight of *Afghan journalists* and build support. ## *9. Provide Legal Aid* Offer *free legal assistance* to *Afghan media workers* seeking *refugee status* or *asylum*. ## *10. Advocate for Press Freedom* Lead international efforts to condemn *Taliban's media restrictions* and promote *press freedom* globally. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Afghanistan* ranks *178 out of 180* on the *World Press Index* by *Reporters Without Borders*. - Before *Taliban* retook *Kabul* in *2021*, Afghanistan was ranked *122* on the *World Press Index*. - Pakistan's *Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan* launched in *October 2024*. - Over *one million Afghans* have been sent back under the deportation plan. - *Afghan journalists* face *detention*, *abduction*, *torture*, and *murder* for truthful reporting. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Taliban* imposed *media restrictions* affecting over *12,000 journalists* in *Afghanistan* (*RSF*, 2024). - *Women journalists* face complete ban from television and radio work (*UN Women*, 2024). - Over *6 million Afghan refugees* worldwide, with *1.7 million* in *Pakistan* (*UNHCR*, 2024). - *Afghan media outlets* dropped from *543* to *312* since *Taliban* takeover (*TOLOnews*, 2024). - *Pakistan* hosts the largest *Afghan refugee population* globally (*World Bank*, 2024). - *Press freedom* declined in *38 countries* globally in *2024* (*Freedom House*, 2024). # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *What is Afghanistan's current ranking on the World Press Index?* A. 122 B. 150 *C. 178* D. 180 ### 2. *When was Pakistan's Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched?* A. September 2024 *B. October 2024* C. November 2024 D. December 2024 ### 3. *How many Afghans have been sent back under Pakistan's deportation plan?* A. 500,000 *B. Over one million* C. 1.5 million D. 2 million ### 4. *What was Afghanistan's World Press Index ranking before Taliban retook Kabul?* A. 100 *B. 122* C. 150 D. 178 ### 5. *Which organization called for suspension of Pakistan's deportation plan?* *A. Committee to Protect Journalists* B. Amnesty International C. Human Rights Watch D. UN Human Rights Council # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Refuge* (پناہ) – Shelter or protection from danger 2. *Persecution* (ظلم و ستم) – Hostility and ill-treatment, especially based on beliefs 3. *Deportation* (ملک بدری) – The action of forcibly removing someone from a country 4. *Repatriation* (واپسی) – The return of someone to their own country 5. *Sanctuary* (پناہ گاہ) – A place of refuge or safety 6. *Abduction* (اغوا) – The action of forcibly taking someone away 7. *Oppressive* (جابرانہ) – Unjustly harsh or authoritarian 8. *Compassion* (رحم دلی) – Sympathetic concern for the sufferings of others 9. *Asylum* (سیاسی پناہ) – Protection granted to someone who has fled their country 10. *Pluralistic* (کثیر الجہتی) – Relating to a system with multiple centers of power 11. *Unfettered* (آزاد) – Not restricted or hampered 12. *Repressive* (دبانے والا) – Inhibiting or restraining the freedom of 13. *Extremist* (انتہا پسند) – Holding extreme political or religious views 14. *Sobering* (سنجیدہ) – Creating a more serious or thoughtful mood 15. *Ideology* (نظریہ) – A system of ideas and ideals 16. *Detention* (حراست) – The action of detaining someone 17. *Proponents* (حامی) – People who advocate for something 18. *Curbs* (پابندیاں) – Restrictions or restraints 19. *Mercy* (رحم) – Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone 20. *Guarantees* (ضمانت دیتا ہے) – Provides a formal assurance or promise # *Chart of Afghanistan's Press Freedom Decline* Below is a chart illustrating *Afghanistan's dramatic fall* in the *World Press Index* rankings from *122* in *2021* to *178* in *2024*, reflecting the severe impact of *Taliban rule* on *media freedom*. ```chartjs { "type": "line", "data": { "labels": ["2021", "2022", "2023", "2024"], "datasets": [{ "label": "World Press Index Ranking (Lower is Better)", "data": [122, 156, 171, 178], "backgroundColor": "#ff4444", "borderColor": "#ff4444", "fill": false, "tension": 0.1 }] }, "options": { "scales": { "y": { "beginAtZero": false, "min": 100, "max": 180, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Ranking (180 = Worst)" }, "reverse": false }, "x": { "title": { "display": true, "text": "Year" } } }, "plugins": { "legend": { "display": true, "position": "top" }, "title": { "display": true, "text": "Afghanistan's Press Freedom Decline (2021-2024)" } } } } ``` --- 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. Please be reminded not to remove the attribution label affixed to this article. It is crucial to acknowledge the source and the effort invested in creating this summary. We discourage any unauthorized distribution without proper credit. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. 🔍 ⚡ *Explore More Summaries, Solutions, and Vocabulary Meanings* 💡 Join our WhatsApp Channel for timely and comprehensive summaries of the latest articles, along with well-crafted solutions and helpful vocabulary meanings. Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *www.dawn.com* *Refuge for journalists* *Editorial* *3 minutes* *Listen to article* AFGHANISTAN'S journalists have access to the news but not the freedom to report it. Fear grips them and others who want to exercise their right to free expression; they risk detention, abduction, torture and even murder in their country if they speak out or report truthfully. As the West, which is largely responsible for the crisis in Afghanistan, denies space to Afghan media persons, many remain desperate for a way out of an oppressive homeland to safer countries. This situation is reason enough for Islamabad to show compassion and halt the deportation of Afghan media workers in Pakistan, who are at risk of persecution if they return to their native land. In this context, the Committee to Protect Journalists, along with other rights groups, has called upon Pakistan to suspend its Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched last October, and has asked countries "to ensure safe and legal passage for Afghan refugees and asylum seekers, including writers, journalists, artists, human rights defenders and others at risk of persecution…". Under the plan, over a million Afghans have been sent back. Media curbs in Afghanistan have led to a sharp decline in press freedom: according to Reporters Without Borders, Afghanistan ranks 178 out of 180 on the World Press Index. In 2021, before the Afghan Taliban retook Kabul, it was ranked 122. Reportedly, individuals, whose views and reportage clash with Taliban ideology, are being targeted. Terror is also used to control large sections of the youth that reject an extremist power structure. Pakistan must provide a safe sanctuary to proponents of free speech, culture and human rights so that truth and the people are not left at the mercy of a repressive regime. Present-day Afghanistan holds sobering lessons. Media freedom preserves a pluralistic, united and free society. A country that silences journalists and others is doomed to live in darkness, while an unfettered press guarantees peace and justice for all. Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2025