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Paigard News Director Jawid Niazi Released After Two Months in Taliban Custody

July 6, 2026 | Afghanistan War

Jawid (Ahmad Jawed) Niazi, director of the Paigard News Agency, was released from the Taliban General Directorate of Intelligence's 'Directorate 40' on July 6, 2026, after two months in detention (arrested May 6). No charges were ever specified. The Afghanistan Media Support Organization (AMSO) welcomed the release on July 7 but said a single release 'is not enough,' renewing calls for the Taliban to free all detained journalists. Separately, CPJ's case tracking indicates TOLOnews reporter Mansoor Niazi was held until June 24, 2026 and remains on bail awaiting trial on unspecified charges alongside colleague Imran Danish, with no trial date set as of mid-July.

Media

Jawid Niazi was released after two months in Taliban intelligence custody; press freedom groups say more journalists remain detained. — The Kabul Tribune

Sources

T3 The Kabul Tribune — Jawid Niazi release / AMSO statement Institutional international
T3 ZanTV Network — Taliban Release Jawid Niazi After Two Months in Detention Institutional international
T3 Committee to Protect Journalists — Mansoor Niazi case profile Institutional western

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