Sayed Qasim Hashemi, an Afghan journalist and media activist, has been missing since this morning while traveling on the Abbottabad–Islamabad route. His family and relatives say they are deeply concerned about his fate.

Family members confirmed that Sayed Qasim Hashemi was detained earlier today by Pakistani police on the Abbottabad–Islamabad highway due to the lack of a valid residency visa and was reportedly transferred to prison. However, no official information has yet been provided about his whereabouts or condition.
Sayed Qasim Hashemi is a well-known Afghan media personality who has been actively involved in journalism, media, and cultural activities for many years. He worked as the director of the television programs “Armaghan-e Sobh” and “Qissa-haye Zendagi” on Aina TV, hosted programs for Awaz Media Group, and is the founder and owner of Elham Media Group. He also serves as the head of a free school for Afghan refugee children living in Pakistan.
On August 21, 2021, following the collapse of the Afghan government and due to serious security threats and fear of the Taliban, Mr. Hashemi fled Afghanistan with his family and sought refuge in Pakistan.
This incident comes at a time when the Pakistani government has, for more than a year, largely stopped extending residency visas for Afghan refugees. In addition, visa issuance for Afghan citizens is currently suspended. This situation has left thousands of Afghan refugees — especially journalists, civil society activists, and vulnerable families — living under extremely difficult and uncertain conditions.
The reported detention and disappearance of Sayed Qasim Hashemi have sparked widespread concern among journalists, human rights defenders, and the Afghan refugee community. Many see this case as a serious warning regarding the worsening humanitarian situation faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan — people who were forced to flee their homeland because of security threats and who now face the risks of arrest, imprisonment, and forced deportation.
International organizations, human rights institutions, and media outlets are being urged to pay immediate attention to the situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and take urgent action to prevent the continuation of this humanitarian crisis.