- Report ignored official facts, journal statements: ministry.
- AJK IGP Malik says artificial intelligence is promoting the spread of false narratives.
- Adds AJK routes remain open except parts of Rawalakot.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has filed a strong protest and formal complaint to a foreign website over the publication of “fake news” alleging that vehicles carrying food were blocked in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) during ongoing protests.
The report was based on unverified and unverified allegations while disregarding official facts and statements available on record, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry further stated that this was not an isolated incident, asserting that the repeated publication of unverified claims has become a recurring pattern and that corrective action must be taken.
Separately, Inspector General of Police Captain (retd) Liaqat Ali Malik also dismissed the “false propaganda” regarding the situation in AJK and said misinformation and fabricated reports pose a major challenge in the current era.
Addressing a press conference, Malik said that mischievous elements were spreading false narratives about the situation in AJK. He added that advances in artificial intelligence made it possible to create false narratives to mislead the public.
His statement follows the banning of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) as a banned organization on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) following violent protests in AJK.
The ban was imposed days ahead of the banned outfit’s planned protest on June 9 to abolish 12 seats in AJK reserved for refugees from Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
He said fake and fabricated news had become one of the biggest challenges of modern times.
Malik urged citizens to verify information before sharing it and stressed the importance of verifying the authenticity of reports circulating on various platforms.
Malik also criticized a report by a foreign television station, saying it contained baseless claims that contradicted the facts.
The police chief specifically rejected claims that vehicles carrying food had been stopped, describing the allegation as baseless.
Malik said members of the banned organization stopped trucks, looted their cargo and intimidated drivers in certain areas. He said these actions contributed significantly to the hardships faced by citizens in parts of AJK.
He said all entry and exit routes to AJK were open and the police in coordination with the district administration was working to keep the roads clear and accessible to the public. Malik added that some areas of Rawalakot continued to face disturbances.
Affirming the role of law enforcement, the police chief said the AJK police remained committed to protecting the lives and property of the public.
