Islamabad: Pakistan has reportedly restricted access to Al Jazeera's English-language website after the Qatar-based broadcaster aired reports on anti-government and election-related protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Although the government has not formally announced a ban, several users across Pakistan have claimed on social media that they are unable to access the news outlet's website.
Al Jazeera has not publicly responded to the ministry's allegations. Pakistani authorities have also not issued an official notification confirming a nationwide ban on the broadcaster.
The reported restrictions have drawn criticism from the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which expressed concern over what it described as deteriorating press freedom conditions in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The organisation cited reports of internet disruptions, telecommunications shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the alleged detention or disappearance of journalists covering the region.
Separately, CPJ said it had received unconfirmed reports that access to Al Jazeera had been restricted in Pakistan following the broadcaster's reporting from Kashmir. It also referred to media reports indicating that partial internet blackouts and telecommunications restrictions have been in place in Pakistan-administered Kashmir since June. Pakistan has not officially confirmed these reported restrictions.
