Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry has called out India for curbing Freedom of Expression by refusing to allow five foreign journalists to enter Pakistan.
These journalists were to participate in the inaugural session of Azad Kashmir’s assembly on 5th August. This also marks the day when India wrongfully de-operationalized/abrogated article 370 and turned Kashmir into a living prison.
India has refused to allow five foreign journalists permission to visit Pak, they were supposed to attend 5th August session of Azad Kashmir Assembly, so much of #FreedomofExpression we want India to allow independent Journalists to visit IOK and let them report facts
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) August 4, 2021
The Federal Minister received responses from many including National Security Advisor, Moeed Yusuf who added that the Indian government is insecure knowing full well that its actions can be exposed.
These are actions of an insecure government that has much to hide and doesn’t want the world to see the reality of AJK and contrast it to the open jail that exists in IIOJK under Indian occupation. https://t.co/gmwvLCyt1D
— Moeed W. Yusuf (@YusufMoeed) August 4, 2021
Back in July, some correspondents from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) visited Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), where they were briefed upon the key issues like the Line of Control (Loc) and other ceasefire violations.
The difference is simple @fawadchaudhry. We want the world to see what is happening in azad kashmir and they want to hide what is happening in indian occupied kashmir. The difference between right and wrong cannot get more stark than this. https://t.co/iJP0XvE4d7
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) August 4, 2021
India’s BJP government has been rolling with its Hindutva campaign making illegal moves against Kashmir and Pakistan to sidetrack its people from issues at home. Yet these instances only make Indian atrocities in the region evident.
Read more: India attacks journalists in Kashmir
Fawad Chaudry made the statement that “we want India to allow independent Journalists to visit IOK and let them report facts.” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi tweeted that India is a “dictatorial regime” while Shireen Mazari said she was not surprised seeing India is under “fascist Modi”.
The denial of permission by India to 5 international journalists to travel to Pakistan, in which a visit to the Azad Kashmir Assembly was scheduled, is another damning indication of shrinking space for free speech and independent journalism under a dictatorial regime.
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 4, 2021
In recent geopolitics, India has gained much attention for its policies in the Indo-Pacific region, yet its image as an Asian democracy is marred by its actions in Kashmir. However, media outlets, especially international ones downplay the gruesome terror inflicted by India on the Kashmiris.
Recently, India also acquired a presidential position at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), despite its record of disinformation campaigns. Some time back External Minister of India, Jaishankar confessed Indian antics in keeping Pakistan on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
Read more: Allegations Indian govt tapped phone of Indian leading journalist
All these instances combined are enough reasons to put pressure on India to dismantle its undiplomatic and aggressive tendencies in the region.