Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking with the government of Pakistan to ensure that (1) Afghan journalists in Pakistan are protected from any acts that could endanger their safety, and (2) Afghan journalists at risk in that country are relocated to safe third countries

Defending media freedom at home and abroad is a priority for the UK Government. We continue to address media freedom in our discussions with the Taliban and regularly raise the issue with the Government of Pakistan. A number of Afghan journalists have been granted Indefinite Leave to Remain under Pathway 1 of the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). We continue to work with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), likeminded partners and countries neighbouring Afghanistan to support the safe passage of eligible Afghans to the UK. Our commitment on ACRS Pathway 3 to welcome wider groups of at-risk Afghans still stands. Further detail will be set out in due course.