- Pakistan has banned coverage of the protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by local and international media, restricted digital access to foreign news platforms, and tightened travel and reporting guidelines for international journalists.
- On Monday, Pakistan blocked the Al Jazeera website in the country and its information ministry issued an advisory requiring foreign media personnel to obtain an NOC before reporting outside Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad.
- While Pakistani media maintained silence and carried only government press releases, Al Jazeera and the BBC reported from the ground exposing police brutality; reports claimed the crackdown came after Al Jazeera exposed the sham elections in PoK and the BBC reported on police brutality.
- Journalist Ramna Saeed of Independent Urdu posted on X that most people she spoke to in Muzaffarabad boycotted polls after 50-plus deaths in AJK since June protests erupted, and violent clashes were witnessed in Lower and Central Plate.
- Saeed also wrote that casualties continue to be reported from Rawalakot and other parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, and protests erupted in Islamabad demanding an end to violence, the release of detainees and protection of constitutional rights.
- The BBC gained access to Rawalakot, reporting that security forces fired on innocent civilians and that hospitals and clinics struggled to provide medical aid.
- A fresh round of police brutality was reported at Lal Chowk in Muzaffarabad when unarmed protesters came under intense firing by Pakistani Rangers and the Frontier Corps (FC); at least one death was confirmed, and the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) said security forces opened fire on unarmed and peaceful civilians.
- With the PML-N leading the second phase of Assembly polls in PoK, locals claimed the elections were rigged, and the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) termed them a “farce” and “fraudulent”.
Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on media freedom by banning foreign coverage and blocking Al Jazeera, following critical reports on the unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).12367
The government’s actions come amid allegations of police brutality and rigged elections, with reports indicating that over 50 deaths have occurred since protests erupted in June.
Local media has largely remained silent, while international outlets like the BBC and Al Jazeera have reported on the ground, revealing the harsh realities faced by protesters.
On Monday, Pakistan blocked Al Jazeera's website, further restricting access to foreign news platforms. The ministry of information mandated that foreign journalists must obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to report outside major cities.
Journalist Ramna Saeed noted, “What I saw in AJK (PoK) polls while reporting… most people I spoke to in Muzaffarabad boycotted polls after 50-plus deaths in AJK reportedly since the June protests erupted.”8111213
Protests have erupted in Islamabad, demanding an end to violence and the release of detainees, as security forces have been accused of firing on unarmed civilians.9
The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) condemned the violence, calling the elections a “farce” and “fraudulent.”1415
As the PML-N leads in the Assembly polls, locals continue to voice their dissent against the government’s actions and the ongoing unrest in PoK.
“Pakistan has also required foreign journalists to obtain a government NOC before reporting outside Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad, and restricted digital access to foreign news platforms. Journalist Ramna Saeed of Independent Urdu reported most people in Muzaffarabad boycotted polls after 50-plus deaths in AJK since protests erupted in June.”
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