Pakistan Uses Overseas Lobbyists to Suppress Kashmir Protest Reports

The Government of Pakistan is utilizing a network of overseas lobbyists, businessmen, and political intermediaries to suppress international awareness of protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. These protests have lasted nearly two months, with reports of approximately 40 deaths and numerous forced disappearances attributed to Pakistani security forces. To maintain control over the region, the Pakistani establishment has imposed a strict ban on internet and mobile communications.

Islamabad is leveraging these pressure groups to cover up atrocities and deflect global attention from unrest in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The strategy also aims to obscure the activities of terror groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.

This effort is partly driven by pressure from China to protect its infrastructure investments in Balochistan. Pakistani officials indicate that if the state is seen as incapable of safeguarding foreign assets, it would represent a significant setback for the government.