Former news manager of Pajhwok Afghan News Khwaja Khalil Fitri has been released by intelligence operatives in northern Balkh province.
On December 13, Fitri was detained by the intelligence service from his residence in Mazar-i-Sharif, the provincial capital.Khwaja Nasir Ahmad Siddiqui, nephew of the journalist, said: “Alhamdulillah, Fitri Sahib has been released from custody and he is in good health.”
Meanwhile, the Afghanistan Journalists’ Centre (AJC) also confirmed the release of Khalil Fitir, asking the caretaker government to live up to its commitments to protecting journalists and free media.
Fitri started working as a journalist in 1991 with the state newspaper Anis. He served news manager at Pajhwok Afghan News for more than 13 years.He left Pajhwok about four months ago and has since been living with his family in Mazar-i-Sharif.—Pajhwok
