Fearing restrictions on music after the establishment of the Taliban government in Afghanistan, the Peshawar police started a series of raids and arrests against artists hiding in Pakistan and returned them to the Taliban under the Pakistan Foreigners Act 1946 (14 C). It has been indicated to hand over to the government.
In this regard, on May 27, four artists were arrested in Peshawar and a case was registered against them and they were sent to jail.
Condemning this action of the police, artists in the province and their representative organization ‘Henry Tolana’ have announced to protest in front of the Peshawar Press Club on May 30 (yesterday) calling these arrests an inhumane act.
Rashid Ahmad Khan, president of Henry Tulna, told Independent Urdu that Tehkal police raided the office of Afghan artists at 2 am without a search warrant and arrested well-known Afghan singers Naveed Hassan, Syedullah Wafa and two musicians Ajmal and Nadeem Shah. A case was filed against them.
He said: ‘These are artists who have been forced to seek refuge in Pakistan after the Taliban government banned music. Artistes who took refuge in Pakistan have been talking about the brutal treatment of the Taliban. Now handing them back to the Taliban by force would be an inhuman treatment.
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Referring to the arrested artists, he said that Naveed Hassan and Syedullah were popular singers of Afghanistan who used to perform their art on TV, radio and stage there. While Ajmal and Nadeem Shah are also among the famous musicians.
Rashid Khan said that after August last year, the Afghan artists arrived in Peshawar in such poor condition that they did not even have money for food and drink.
According to him: ‘Henry Tolna arranged for them to live, donated and bought them the necessary equipment so that they would be able to survive.’
The president of Henry Tolna appealed to the government of Pakistan to help the Afghan refugee artists and give them shelter in Pakistan, saying that to deport them would be “a risk to their lives.”
On the other hand, Tahkal Police Station officials told Independent Urdu that the four Afghan artists were arrested because they had entered Pakistan illegally.
The Deputy Superintendent of Tahkal Police Station Moharar Gohar said that the court has sent the four Afghan nationals to jail on judicial remand.
Under Section 14C of the Pakistan Foreigners Act, persons who enter the country illegally will be deported after prosecution within three months.
Tahkal Police Station officials told Independent Urdu that they are making arrests in compliance with the said law and that they have not received any orders from Afghanistan or Pakistan government.
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#Afghan #artists #hiding #Pakistan #handed #Taliban #authorities
**Interview with Rashid Ahmad Khan, President of Henry Tolana**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Rashid. Can you tell us more about the recent arrests of Afghan artists in Peshawar and the circumstances surrounding them?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** Thank you for having me. The situation is heartbreaking. On May 27, the Tehkal police conducted a raid at the office of Afghan artists around 2 AM, arresting four well-known musicians: Naveed Hassan, Syedullah Wafa, and two other musicians, Ajmal and Nadeem Shah, without a search warrant. These artists fled to Pakistan after the Taliban banned music and imposed brutal restrictions on their freedoms.
**Editor:** That sounds incredibly distressing. What has been the response from the artistic community in Peshawar?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** The response has been one of outrage and solidarity. Our representative organization, Henry Tolana, has condemned these actions by the police as inhumane. We organized a protest in front of the Peshawar Press Club on May 30 to raise our voices against these unlawful arrests and to highlight the plight of artists who are merely seeking refuge.
**Editor:** What do you foresee happening next for these artists?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** There is a genuine fear for their safety. Our primary goal is to advocate for their protection and ensure they are not handed back to the Taliban, where they would face severe persecution. We are working with human rights organizations to raise awareness and put pressure on the authorities to release and protect our fellow artists.
**Editor:** The situation sounds dire. What message do you want to convey to the authorities and the public regarding this issue?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** We urge the authorities to reconsider their actions and the policies in place that lead to the persecution of peaceful artists. We call upon the public to support us and recognize the value of art and expression. These artists are essential voices of our culture and deserve our protection, not imprisonment.
**Editor:** Thank you, Rashid, for sharing your insights and shedding light on this critical issue. We hope for a positive resolution for the artists involved.
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** Thank you for helping to voice our concerns.
Front of the Peshawar Press Club on May 30 to raise awareness about these violations and to call for the immediate release of our colleagues. The artistic community is united in standing against any actions that threaten the safety and freedom of artists, especially those who have already suffered so much under the Taliban regime.
**Editor:** You mentioned that these artists had sought refuge in Pakistan due to the oppressive conditions they faced in Afghanistan. Can you elaborate on the challenges they are experiencing?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** Absolutely. After the Taliban took control, many Afghan artists faced severe persecution. When they arrived in Peshawar, they were destitute, struggling to even secure food and basic necessities. Henry Tolana stepped in to provide them with shelter, food, and resources to live modestly. These are not just artists; they are individuals whose lives are at risk if they are forcibly returned to Afghanistan.
**Editor:** What are the main concerns regarding their potential deportation back to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** The risks are immense. The Taliban’s current stance on music and artistic expression is dangerously restrictive. If these artists are handed back, they will face severe punishment, possibly even imprisonment or worse. Our message to the Pakistani government is clear: deporting them would be tantamount to signing their death warrants. We urgently call for protection and sanctuary for these vulnerable artists.
**Editor:** How do the Pakistani authorities justify these arrests?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** They claim that the artists entered the country illegally and must be prosecuted under the Pakistan Foreigners Act. While it’s essential to uphold the law, we believe there must be exceptions in humanitarian cases. The larger moral obligation is to protect lives, especially those fleeing persecution.
**Editor:** What can the international community do to assist in this situation?
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** Global awareness is key. The more people know about the plight of Afghan artists and the dangers they face, the more pressure can be applied on governments to reconsider their policies. I urge international organizations and human rights advocates to step in and support our call for justice and safety for these artists. Their voices must not be silenced again.
**Editor:** Thank you, Rashid, for sharing these important insights. We hope for a positive resolution for the artists involved.
**Rashid Ahmad Khan:** Thank you for the opportunity to highlight this critical issue. Together, we can help ensure their voices are heard.
