Pakistan has reportedly blocked several digital news websites, including Al Jazeera English, following their reporting on the ongoing protests and violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This decision by the Shahbaz Sharif government comes at a time when Asim Munir’s forces are wreaking havoc in PoK. The Pakistani government has not yet issued an official statement in this regard.
According to reports, several international and digital media platforms are inaccessible in Pakistan following coverage of protests, security forces’ actions, and the deteriorating situation in PoK . Users are unable to access these websites. This is being seen as an attempt by the government to maintain control over the narrative, although this has not been independently confirmed.
What kind of reporting did Al Jazeera do?
Earlier, Al Jazeera had also reported that Pakistan’s National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) had sought the blocking of several YouTube channels in an Islamabad court. These reportedly included channels linked to former Prime Minister Imran Khan, opposition leaders, and journalists critical of the government. According to the report, YouTube had also warned 27 content creators of action for failing to comply with court directives.
Massive JAAC protest in PoK; Army opening fire.
The Joint Awami Action Committee has released videos claiming that security forces assaulted an unarmed man in Muzaffarabad and that an individual in plainclothes fired at protesters. Demanding an independent inquiry into these allegations, the committee has appealed for intervention from the United Nations, OHCHR, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the ICRC, and the international media.
Around 80 people were killed in the PoK protests.
Meanwhile, citing the Human Rights Council of Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (HRC-PoJK), it has been claimed that 80 people have died so far during the ongoing unrest. These casualties reportedly include 76 civilians and four police personnel. These claims have not been independently verified.
Reports of protests, road blockades, and administrative disarray also emerged during the second phase of elections in PoJK. These incidents have raised fresh questions regarding the fairness of the electoral process and freedom of expression.