KABUL (Khaama Press): As the targeted killings and assassinations in the country have increased, more specifically by targeting journalists and members of civil society, many of the media workers were forced to leave the country.
Last night, Mukhtar Lashkari, the host of the satirical program “Cactus” on Channel One, left Afghanistan due to security threats against journalists.
In a video posted on social media, Lashkari says he is leaving Afghanistan to protect his life.
the recent targeted killings of journalists have caused many Afghan media figures to leave the country either forever or for a while, Lashkari added, that a country without journalists and media is like the “graveyard of information”.
“What should we do? Journalists, are the most vulnerable segment of society, mostly under the throes of the opposition without any security protection, and haven’t you heard of what happened to journalists recently” fearing for his life he whined “I am also one of those who decided to live abroad for a while”, Lashkari said.Lashkari said that he will return back to Afghanistan and that currently, he should save his life.
On the other hand, Farahnaz Forotan, a political presenter who worked with various TV channels has left Afghanistan due to recent security threats and targeted assassinations of journalists. She confirmed her migration on Twitter that she had taken refuge in France.
“I went to France on a long-term visa and am currently in Turkey,” she wrote on her Twitter account”, she also emphasized that she did not seek asylum in France, but sought refuge in the country.
Meanwhile, Fatemeh Hashim, Editor in Chief of Khaama Press, has also left the country due to security threats against journalists.
Hashem added, that currently journalists, civil society activists, public and prominent political figures are living under extreme disappointing situation.
According to Fatema Hashim, Afghanistan, and especially Kabul city, has recently become a city of terror, and every day “we are evident to a targeted killing incident”, Something that has turned our survival into a “miracle”.
“It simply came to our notice that every moment of fear prevents a person from reaching the goal he is about to achieve, but I must survive to achieve all my ideals and goals,” Hashim added.
Last week, RFERL (Radio Azadi) correspondent Nusrat Parsa has also left Afghanistan for Turkey due to targeted assassinations and security threats.
He also stated that the reason for his departure from Afghanistan was due to security threats to the lives of journalists, “I fled the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,” he wrote on his Facebook page, escape is also part of the struggle, “I left Afghanistan to survive.”.
Reports indicate many journalists and media activists have left the country, either temporarily or permanently, following the rage and escalation in targeted killings of journalists and members of civil society.
In the past two months, several journalists and media workers in the country have been killed by unidentified gunmen or by magnetic mines, some were also suspiciously announced dead.
Two months ago, Amrullah Saleh, the first vice president, wrote on his Facebook page that the Taliban had decided to target Afghan journalists, members of civil society in order to put pressure on the government.
Just a few days after Saleh’s remarks, a wave of targeted attacks on journalists, members of civil society, and women’s rights activists began.
In less than two months more than a dozen journalists, civil society activists, and women’s rights activists were assassinated.
But the Taliban have never claimed responsibility such actions.
Following the international community’s strong criticism of the recent targeted killings, the Taliban issued a statement completely denying their involvement in the attacks, and besides the militant group condemned the killings of journalists, members of civil society, and civilians.
