Pakistan has reportedly blocked access to Al Jazeera following the Qatari broadcaster’s reports on Islamabad’s crackdown against anti‑government and election‑related protests in Pakistan‑occupied Kashmir (PoK).
While the Shahbaz Sharif‑led government has not formally announced a ban, many users across Pakistan said on social media they were unable to access Al Jazeera’s English‑language website, reports NDTV.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting accused Al Jazeera of “selective reporting” and “misrepresenting” the electoral process.
In a statement on its official X account, the ministry said, “We have taken note of Al Jazeera’s selective reporting from handpicked polling stations in Muzaffarabad today. Through carefully chosen timings and scripted statements from selected individuals, the channel has sought to misrepresent the AJK elections and the voting process.”
Islamabad refers to the occupied territory as “Azad” Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). Officials further accused Al Jazeera of engaging in “yellow journalism,” claiming the coverage was exaggerated to shock readers and aligned with “external actors with vested interests.”
The ministry added, “Such yellow journalism only confirms the agenda of external actors attempting to delegitimise this electoral exercise and undermine the popular will of the people of Muzaffarabad and AJK.”
On the other hand, New Delhi maintains that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and asserts that Pakistan is in “illegal and forcible occupation” of portions of these territories.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned Pakistan’s actions, citing internet blackouts, restrictions on reporting, and the detention or disappearance of journalists.
CPJ said, “Reports of internet blackouts, telecommunications shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the detention and disappearance of journalists are deeply concerning. Pakistani authorities must immediately end the crackdown on journalists, restore access to information, and allow independent reporting.”
The watchdog highlighted the disappearance of independent journalist Razi Tahir and colleague Muhammad Saif, who were reportedly taken by men in police uniforms from their office in Islamabad on 1 August.
However, their whereabouts remain unknown. CPJ urged authorities to confirm whether they are in custody and to release them if arbitrarily detained. Kashmiri journalist Raja Ikram, also detained on 1 August, was later released.
CPJ noted that censorship appears to extend beyond Kashmir, pointing to restrictions on major outlets and long‑running telecom disruptions.
It added that access to Al Jazeera was reportedly restricted after its 1 August coverage from Kashmir, coinciding with severe telecommunications curbs in Pakistan‑administered Kashmir since 5 June.
