April 11, 2026
Statement of the Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights in Afghanistan (ICSHRA)
Regarding the Arrest of Naqibullah Akhgar, a Human Rights Defender in Pakistan
The Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights in Afghanistan (ICSHRA) express deep concern over the arrest of Mr. Naqibullah Akhgar, a human rights defender and education activist from Afghanistan, and bring this matter to the attention of the international community and human rights organizations.
Mr. Naqibullah Akhgar is an active figure in Afghan civil society who has worked for years in the fields of education and human rights. Following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, he was arrested, detained for 49 days, and subjected to torture. Subsequently, in 2023, he migrated to Pakistan, where he continued his human rights activities.
Despite this background, on April 9, 2026, he, along with his family, was arrested by police from the DWB area of Islamabad and transferred to Haji Camp, where he now faces a serious risk of forced deportation to Afghanistan.
The Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights in Afghanistan (ICSHRA) call on the Government of Pakistan, UNHCR, and international organizations to:
Immediately prevent the forced deportation of him and his family;
Ensure his access to legal counsel and due process;
Facilitate his release or relocation to a safe country.
The Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights in Afghanistan consider this situation a serious violation of human rights and international refugee law and call for urgent action from the international community.
Respectfully,
Institutions of Civil Society and Human Rights in Afghanistan (ICSHRA)
