Pakistan Restricts News Sites Amid Violent Kashmir Protests

The government of Pakistan has restricted access to several international broadcasters and digital news websites, including Al Jazeera English, following media coverage of unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). These censorship measures target platforms reporting on protests and security crackdowns. The digital restrictions follow a June 24 order from an Islamabad judicial magistrate court to block YouTube channels linked to jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and critical journalists, an action prompted by a report from the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency regarding provocative content against state institutions.

Simultaneously, violence has escalated in PoJK, with significant casualties reported in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, and Mirpur. The Human Rights Council of PoJK documented 80 fatalities, while the Joint Awami Action Committee reported over 50 deaths in recent days. The Joint Awami Action Committee has released footage of security force violence and called for an international investigation.

The unrest further disrupted the second phase of PoJK elections on August 2, 2026, through road blockades and logistical failures. In response, the GongGam Human Rights Law Foundation condemned the use of force against civilians and called for an immediate halt to the crackdown.