Pakistani journalist jailed in Afghanistan

A Pakistani television journalist has been jailed for four years in Afghanistan for travelling to the country illegally to interview the Taliban leaders, a media report said today.

Faizullah Khan, a reporter for Karachi-based ARY News, was arrested in eastern Nangarhar province in April.

Khan was also accused of spying but a three-judge panel dropped espionage charges and jailed him for illegally entering into Afghanistan, The Express Tribune reported.

Some media reports have suggested Khan was on an assignment to interview Taliban leaders as part of his professional duties.

An appeal against the conviction will be filed in an Afghan High Court, the report said.
 

Pakistani embassy in Kabul and the country's consulate in Jalalabad are involved to help the journalist in the legal battle, embassy spokesman Akhtar Munir told the newspaper.

"The embassy will continue efforts to help the Pakistani journalist while using all legal options," the spokesman said.

Pakistan and Afghanistan are considered dangerous regions for journalists due to poor safety and security concerns. Also attacks on media professionals are a recurring feature in the regions.