London, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
British politician and former lawmaker Theresa Villiers has criticised what she described as a disparity in Western media coverage of developments in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), highlighting the limited attention given to recent unrest there compared with demonstrations in New Delhi.
In a recent article for The Sunday Guardian, Villiers said restrictions imposed by Pakistani authorities in Rawalakot, a key centre of the protests, had made it difficult to establish the full picture of the violence.
According to Villiers, large numbers of people took to the streets demanding affordable food and electricity while also challenging a political system under which 12 legislative assembly seats are allocated to people who do not reside in the region.
She said the demonstrations were followed by a sweeping crackdown, with the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which led the protests, being banned under anti-terrorism laws. Internet access was severely restricted and curbs were also imposed on several media outlets.
Villiers said protesters had accused security forces of using live ammunition against crowds. She noted that while some fatalities appeared to involve security personnel, the majority of those killed appeared to have been protesters.
She also cited UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk’s call for “prompt, thorough and impartial investigations” into all deaths linked to the unrest, involving both protesters and security forces.
Turning to Jammu and Kashmir on the Indian side of the Line of Control, Villiers said there were reasons for optimism as local communities worked to rebuild the region’s tourism economy following the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-backed terrorists.
She said US Ambassador Sergio Gor’s recent visit to Srinagar had provided a significant boost. Although the US State Department continues to advise American citizens against travelling to Jammu and Kashmir, Gor said Washington would review the advisory to assess whether it accurately reflected conditions on the ground. He also acknowledged improvements in the security situation brought about by Indian authorities.
Villiers, who recalled visiting Kashmir as a backpacker, said she hoped Gor’s remarks would encourage more people to visit the region.
She further noted that Gor’s description of Kashmir as “an important part of India” would likely cause concern in Islamabad.
Villiers said the ambassador’s position was consistent with the Instrument of Accession executed by Maharaja Hari Singh. She added that she had marked its anniversary with Bob Blackman during her time as an MP, describing it as reaffirming India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Jammu and Kashmir.
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