Pakistan faces allegations of media restrictions as unrest continues in KP, Balochistan and PoK, raising concerns over press freedom and human rights…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistan is facing mounting unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), alongside allegations of tighter restrictions on media coverage and human rights organisations. Measures targeting reporting, internet access and independent monitoring have raised concerns about the availability of information from the affected regions.
The unrest has prompted a series of security and administrative measures as authorities seek to manage protests and limit the spread of information about developments on the ground. While Balochistan and PoK have experienced prolonged unrest, attention has increasingly turned to KP, where emergency measures and Governor’s rule have been imposed, according to the report.
The restrictions have also affected journalists seeking to cover demonstrations, riots and reported blasts in KP and Balochistan. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has directed television channels to refrain from live coverage of the ongoing protests and sought to limit reporting on violence in the two regions.
Protests in PoK, which have continued for several months, have also received limited attention in Pakistani media, according to the report.
An official cited in the report said information from the affected regions remained tightly controlled.
“The Pakistani establishment runs a pretty tight ship when it comes to information from these regions, which have been on the boil for long,” the official said.
The official alleged that media blackouts and restrictions on human rights groups visiting the regions were helping authorities carry out extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances without adequate scrutiny.
“Whatever information that is coming out of these regions is thanks to the social media posts of insurgent groups and the activists in the region,” the official also said.
Another official said material reaching news organisations was subjected to strict scrutiny by government agencies. Even footage approved for broadcast was reportedly delayed rather than aired in real time, limiting the public’s ability to follow events as they unfolded.
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An Intelligence Bureau official said social media posts by residents and activists had helped bring some developments to light, although the flow of information remained inconsistent. Internet services were reported to be largely shut down, while online posts about the situation faced intense scrutiny.
Access for international monitoring organisations, United Nations experts and foreign journalists has also reportedly been restricted. Visitors seeking permission to enter the regions must meet security clearance requirements, including obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Even those granted access are taken on guided tours, limiting their ability to independently assess conditions, according to the report.
Human rights organisations, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), have also faced restrictions. The report alleges that placing such groups on terror watch lists has made their work more difficult, despite their efforts to document alleged abuses.
Officials cited in the report said scores of activists had been detained for extended periods and subjected to torture in custody. These allegations could not be independently verified from the information provided.
Pakistan is also facing potential international scrutiny over its human rights record. The European Commission has warned that human rights abuses, a lack of accountability and military trials could threaten the country’s trade preferences.
The report further alleges that Pakistani authorities have approached pressure groups abroad to limit international attention to the unrest. These groups, which have reportedly campaigned on issues concerning India and Jammu and Kashmir, were allegedly asked to prevent developments in Balochistan, KP and PoK from gaining wider international coverage.
An official cited in the report said Pakistan was concerned about the consequences of increased international scrutiny at a time of economic difficulty.
The allegations point to growing concerns about press freedom, access to information and independent monitoring in regions experiencing prolonged unrest. However, the claims regarding government restrictions and abuses require independent verification.
