India has termed the ongoing assembly elections in PoK a “complete farce” adding the real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces
New Delhi: Global journalists forum and human rights groups have flayed the Pakistani government’s crackdown and arrests of journalists for their coverage in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) even as Pakistani forces opened fire on protestors in Rawalakot amid ongoing demonstrations over economic grievances. Amid internet blackouts and telecommunications shutdown, these groups demanded that the Pakistani government should allow media and independent observers into PoK.
India has termed the ongoing assembly elections in PoK a “complete farce” adding the real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. “Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality. Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the continuing crackdown. The Pakistani establishment has answered public discontent with bullets, black outs, intimidation and repression, and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise. It must be held accountable, and the world should see through the flimsy veneer of Pakistan’s hypocritical lecturing on human rights,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Mr Randhir Jaiswal said.
In a statement, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)-Asia region said it is monitoring the deteriorating press freedom conditions in PoK amid ongoing protests. CPJ added that reports of internet blackouts, telecommunications shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the detention and disappearance of journalists are “deeply concerning” and Pakistani authorities must “immediately end the crackdown on journalists, restore access to information, and allow independent reporting. “
In its statement CPJ mentioned that independent Kashmiri journalist Syed Farhad Ali Shah is under detention while journalists Razi Tahir and Muhmmad Saif remain missing after reportedly being taken by men in police uniform on August 1 during their reporting assignment in PoK. Another Kashmiri journalist Raja Ikram, who was reportedly detained in Islamabad on August 1, was later released. Raja, who belongs to Azad Kashmir, was covering senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan’s march in Islamabad on Monday. Mushtaq Ahmad Khan was also arrested.
“Pakistani authorities must acknowledge their detention if they are in state custody, ensure due process, and immediately release them,” CPJ added.
Independent Kashmiri journalist Syed Farhad Ali Shah remains in detention over his coverage of the protests. He has been in detention since June 20 under the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance after covering protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir and is being held for more than a month without charge or judicial proceedings. Shah began a hunger strike on Tuesday, July 28, to protest his arbitrary detention.
“There has been no update on his condition since he began a hunger strike on July 28 in Bagh district… CPJ demanded Pakistani authorities must ensure he has access to urgent medical care and immediately release him,” the media body added.
Pakistan on Monday banned digital access to Al-Jazeera and restricted international journalists from reporting and travelling to PoK. Internet blackout and telecommunications restrictions have been in place across PoK since June 5 when protests began.
Amnesty International USA in a statement said that the disturbing reports emerging from Rawalakot are consistent with the Pakistani authorities’ long history of unlawful violence against protesters in Jammu and Kashmir. “A prompt, independent, and transparent investigation must be ordered into the security forces’ use of force against protesters. So long as an internet and mobile services blackout remains in place, it will severely impede the independent verification of the full extent of the situation on the ground. We urge the Pakistani authorities to restore all communications access and allow media and independent observers into the area,” Amnesty International USA said.
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