- Report ignored official facts, official statements: ministry.
- AJK IGP Malik says AI fuels spread of false narratives.
- He adds that AJK routes remain open except parts of Rawalakot.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has lodged a strong protest and formal complaint with a foreign website over the publication of “fake news” alleging that vehicles carrying food items were being obstructed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) amid ongoing protests.
The report was based on unverified and uncorroborated allegations, while ignoring official facts and statements available on record, the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry further stated that this was not an isolated incident, claiming that the repeated publication of unverified claims has become a recurring pattern and that corrective measures must be taken.
Separately, Inspector General of Police Captain (retd) Liaqat Ali Malik also rejected “false propaganda” on the situation in AJK, saying that misinformation and fabricated reports pose a big challenge in the current era.
Malik, in a press conference, said mischievous elements were spreading false narratives about the situation in AJK. He added that advances in artificial intelligence were allowing the creation of false narratives to mislead the public.
His statement follows the banning of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) as a proscribed organization on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) after violent protests in AJK.
The ban was imposed days before the banned group’s planned protest on June 9 seeking the abolition of 12 seats in the AJK reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.
He said fake and fabricated news has become one of the biggest challenges of modern times.
Malik urged citizens to verify information before sharing it and stressed the importance of confirming the authenticity of reports circulating on various platforms.
Malik also criticized a report by a foreign broadcaster, saying it contained unfounded and factual claims.
The police chief specifically rejected allegations that vehicles carrying food products had been stopped, calling the claim unfounded.
Malik said members of the banned organization stopped goods vehicles, looted their cargo and intimidated drivers in certain areas. He said these actions contributed significantly to the difficulties faced by citizens in some parts of AJK.
He said all routes into and out of AJK were open and the police, in coordination with the district administration, were working to keep the roads clear and accessible to the public. Malik added that some areas of Rawalakot were still experiencing disruption.
Reaffirming the role of law enforcement, the police chief said the AJK Police remained committed to protecting the lives and properties of the public.
