Residents of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) have accused Pakistani authorities of using excessive force against protesters and restricting media access as demonstrations in the region entered a prolonged phase, prompting appeals for independent coverage and international attention.
The allegations were made by two residents from Rawalakot -- Sardar Aman Khan Kashmiri and social media influencer Aqeel -- who claimed that protests, which began over public grievances, have continued for nearly two months and have been met with a heavy security response.
Addressing the media, Aman Khan criticised remarks attributed to the Inspector General of PoJK Police, who he claimed had described protesters as terrorists. Rejecting the allegation, he said those participating in the demonstrations were unarmed civilians exercising their democratic rights.
He further alleged that security personnel, including members of the Rangers, police and Frontier Corps, had been deployed across Rawalakot and accused them of using force against demonstrators. Aman Khan also urged the Pakistani government to allow unrestricted access to domestic and international media as well as opposition leaders so they could independently assess the situation.
"If there are terrorists here, let Pakistan's media and the international media come and see for themselves," he said, maintaining that protesters were demanding better governance, employment, education, justice and an end to what he described as state repression.
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In a separate statement, Aqeel, a local content creator, alleged that Pakistani media had misrepresented the protests by portraying demonstrators as terrorists. He said he had shifted from producing travel-related content to documenting developments linked to the protests, including alleged security operations and funerals of those killed during the unrest.
According to Aqeel, the movement began after authorities failed to implement commitments made under an earlier charter of demands. He alleged that the protests initially involved demonstrators carrying white flags but later escalated after the promised measures were not implemented.
Aqeel further claimed that hundreds of young people had been killed during the course of the movement, including around 40 deaths in the past three days, and alleged that many victims sustained gunshot wounds. He also claimed that a five-month-old infant was killed in Mirpur during the unrest. These claims could not be independently verified.
Both speakers appealed to the international community and global media organisations to closely monitor developments in the region and called for greater attention to the ongoing protests.
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