New Delhi, August 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Pakistan has been accused of using force against protesters and imposing media restrictions to suppress unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to a report by One Word Outlook, which alleges that Islamabad is attempting to prevent international attention from focusing on developments in the region.
The report claims that for the past two months, PoK has witnessed widespread protests over livelihood-related issues, with Pakistani Rangers allegedly opening fire on unarmed demonstrators, carrying out mass arrests, and enforcing prolonged internet and mobile service shutdowns.
It further alleges that a grassroots rights organisation in the region has been designated as a terrorist outfit and that authorities have intensified efforts to control information emerging from the region.
According to the report, access to Al Jazeera English was restricted in Pakistan shortly after the network aired reports from Muzaffarabad covering the protests and the subsequent security crackdown. The report states that while Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry criticised the broadcaster for what it described as “selective reporting” and “yellow journalism,” it did not dispute the factual accuracy of the reports.
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Describing the situation as more than a territorial dispute, the report argues that the developments reflect the response of a state confronting what it calls a grassroots protest movement through force, communication blackouts and restrictions on media coverage rather than dialogue.
The report also notes that users across Pakistan reported being unable to access Al Jazeera’s website on August 2, following its coverage of the unrest. It claims the government has not formally acknowledged ordering the restriction, describing the absence of an official confirmation as part of a broader pattern of plausible deniability.
According to the report, Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Ministry accused the broadcaster of presenting a distorted picture of the situation through selective reporting and staged interviews.
The report contends that restricting media access instead of permitting independent scrutiny raises concerns about transparency in the handling of the protests.
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