The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have jointly rejected a BBC Urdu report alleging road closures in the region, describing it as inaccurate and contrary to the facts on the ground. In a statement, the authorities said a review of the report showed that its headline and central allegation were based on comments attributed to an anonymous source.
Formal Protest Lodged
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said it had lodged a formal protest and complaint with BBC Urdu over what it termed the publication of false and misleading information regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir. According to the ministry, the report relied on unverified and uncorroborated claims while ignoring official facts and on-record statements provided by the relevant authorities.
Recurring Trend of Unverified Allegations
The ministry further stated that this was not the first instance of such reporting and expressed concern over what it described as a recurring trend of publishing unverified allegations. Both the federal and AJK governments maintained that the report lacked supporting evidence, including video footage, independent eyewitness accounts or official confirmation of the alleged road closures.
Highways Remain Open
The authorities said all major highways across Azad Kashmir remained open to traffic and normal movement continued throughout the region. They added that the AJK Chief Secretary and Inspector General of Police had publicly denied the allegations during a press briefing. According to the AJK government, individuals linked to a banned action committee attempted to loot goods-carrying vehicles, but law enforcement agencies intervened promptly and ensured that transport routes remained operational.
Baseless Allegations Rejected
The government also rejected claims that citizens were being stopped on roads, terming the allegation baseless and misleading. Officials criticized the use of unnamed sources in the report, arguing that it created the impression of an attempt to promote a particular narrative rather than present verified facts.
Call for Professional Journalism
The authorities urged international media organizations to adhere to professional journalistic standards and ensure that reports are based on verified information and credible sources.
