Islamabad/Muzaffarabad. Amid ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), claims of increased media restrictions and digital censorship have emerged. According to various media reports, access to local and regional news websites, as well as some international media platforms, has been blocked in several parts of Pakistan. However, the Pakistani government has not officially confirmed these claims.
Claims of action against media platforms and YouTube channels
According to reports, access to several news websites has been restricted following their extensive coverage of the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Furthermore, there are claims of action being taken against journalists critical of the government, opposition leaders, and some YouTube channels associated with former Prime Minister Imran Khan. There has been no official statement from the Pakistani government on these claims.
Claims of participation of women and children
According to local media reports, protests have been ongoing in several areas of PoK, including Rawalakot, for the past several weeks. Reports claim that a large number of women and children are also participating in these demonstrations.
Some reports also said that tensions escalated between security forces and protesters late Sunday night, leading to exchanges of gunfire. However, these incidents and their causes could not be independently confirmed.
Claims differ on casualty figures
Some local sources have claimed that several people were killed in the security forces’ action. However, claims regarding the number of casualties and the circumstances have varied and have not been independently confirmed. No official details have been released by Pakistan.
New political equations after the assembly elections
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) appears to be in a strong position to form the government following the results of the second phase of assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. According to election officials, the PML-N won 14 of the 18 seats in the second phase, while the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) won four.
India rejected the election process
India has refused to accept the elections held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that all of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and that the electoral process conducted by Pakistan there has no legal significance. India maintains that such an exercise does not change the legal status of the region.
Suicide attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Meanwhile, the death toll from a suicide bombing during a peace rally in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has risen to 17. According to police, the attack occurred in front of a police station in Kabal town, Swat district. The blast killed several people, including security personnel, and injured many others. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.