Following extensive media coverage and critical coverage of the continuing turmoil in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), digital censorship efforts have reportedly been intensified in Pakistan, restricting access to a number of news websites throughout the country.
International broadcasters, such as Al Jazeera English, are reportedly no longer accessible to users in certain regions of the country, coinciding with the blockage of local and regional digital news domains. Platforms covering the current protest wave, purported security crackdowns, and growing public complaints in the area are the focus of the limitations. Pakistan hasn’t, however, formally confirmed the limitations.
The actions coincide with increased awareness of information flows pertaining to PoJK’s political environment and local resistance activities. The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency criticized several YouTube channels in a June 2 report for “sharing highly intimidating, provocative and derogatory contents against state institutions and officials of the state of Pakistan.”
Al Jazeera previously reported that the Islamabad judicial magistrate court announced it was requesting the ban. According to a court decision dated June 24, the main opposition party, its leader and incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, as well as a number of journalists critical of the government are among the channels that could be blocked in Pakistan.
Notably, Al Jazeera revealed earlier in July that an Islamabad judicial magistrate court attempted to suspend many YouTube channels in response to a National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency investigation from June 2.
These platforms were criticized by the agency for allegedly disseminating extremely frightening, inflammatory, and disparaging content directed at state officials and institutions. According to a June 24 court ruling that Al Jazeera cited, the stations that could be banned include those connected to the main opposition party, its leadership, and imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in addition to several journalists who have a reputation for criticizing the government.
As of Sunday, the Human Rights Council of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (HRC-PoJK) reported that 80 deaths had been reported, including 33 civilian deaths before July 27, 43 deaths in Rawalakot, Mirpur, and Muzaffarabad after July 27, and 4 deaths of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir police officers.
The new events occur one day after extensive interruptions, logistical issues, and ongoing protests during the second phase of polls in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) on Sunday cast a shadow over the electoral process and raised new concerns about its legitimacy.
Twelve refugee constituencies spread throughout Pakistan and nine constituencies in the PoJK’s Muzaffarabad Division were among the 21 constituencies where voting was planned.
Also Read – Pakistan Deploys 250 SH-15s Along Indian Border, Beefs Up Militarisation Amidst Internal Chaos