Pakistan lodges protest over BBC Urdu report on AJK
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the BBC Urdu report on AJK relied on unverified and uncorroborated allegations instead of official facts.
According to the ministry, the Pakistan BBC Urdu protest became necessary because the report did not present the government’s version of events.
Govt says report relied on anonymous source
In a statement shared on X, the ministry said this was not the first time a BBC Urdu report on AJK had been based on anonymous claims without proper verification.
Officials said responsible journalism requires credible evidence and official confirmation, especially in sensitive AJK news. The ministry urged BBC Urdu to review its reporting practices and avoid publishing unverified information.
Govt rejects road closure claims
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the AJK government also issued detailed fact-checks rejecting claims that police had blocked the movement of food, medicines, and fuel during recent unrest.
According to the government, there were no restrictions on traffic and highways across the region remained open.
Officials said the BBC Urdu report on AJK did not include video evidence, independent witnesses, or official statements to support its claims.
The government maintained that the Pakistan BBC Urdu protest was based on concerns over reporting standards rather than criticism of media freedom.
Officials blame protesters for disruptions
The AJK government said any temporary road disruptions were caused by protesters linked to the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), who allegedly attempted to stop and loot vehicles carrying essential goods.
Officials said law enforcement agencies acted quickly to clear roads, protect supply vehicles, and ensure traffic continued. They added that official briefings had already rejected claims circulating in some AJK news reports about road blockades.
Police chief urges people to verify information
AJK Inspector General of Police Captain (retd) Liaqat Ali Malik advised citizens in Pakistan and abroad to avoid misinformation and AI-generated content.
He urged overseas Pakistanis, especially members of the Kashmiri community in the United Kingdom and Europe, to rely on official government sources when following AJK news.
The police chief also said all major entry points into AJK remain open for traffic and claimed the government’s response was not sought before the publication of the report, which contributed to the Pakistan BBC Urdu protest.
Govt calls for responsible journalism
The federal government and the AJK administration called on international media organisations to verify information before publishing reports.
Officials said balanced reporting is especially important during sensitive situations and urged media outlets to include all relevant viewpoints to avoid confusion among readers.
