ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) has lodged a strong official protest and formal complaint with BBC Urdu over the publication of a misleading and factually inaccurate report regarding the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has lodged a strong official protest and formal complaint with BBC Urdu over the publication of fake news regarding Azad Jammu & Kashmir,” the MoIB wrote in a post on X.
The ministry said that the report relied on unverified and uncorroborated allegations while disregarding official facts and on-record statements.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first instance of such reporting. The repeated publication of unverified claims has become a trend, and corrective measures must be taken,” it wrote.
The statement came after BBC Urdu published a report claiming that police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir stopped civilians carrying food, medicines, and fuel and ordered them to destroy these supplies.
Earlier today, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Liaqat Ali Malik, has dismissed the BBC news story regarding food and medicine supply in the region as fabricated and baseless.
Addressing the press briefing in Muzaffarabad, IGP Liaqat Malik stated that the British media outlet made baseless allegations in order to mislead the public on the issue in Azad Kashmir under its Western interests, adding that the AJK Police didn’t stop any vehicle carrying commodities.
He clarified that the law and order situation in Azad Kashmir is completely under control, and the AJK Police is always there to serve and help the people.
“Entry and exit routes and all roads within the AJK, except for a few areas in Rawalakot, are open, and business activities are going on as usual.”
Moreover, the IGP of Azad Kashmir strongly denied the propaganda being spread on social media regarding the AJK. Referring to the BBC Urdu news report, he said that before broadcasting such irresponsible news, facts should be verified from the Azad Kashmir Police.
He also informed about the contact numbers of the AJK Police Help Desk and said that if any person needs information about the situation of roads, routes, or any area, they can contact these numbers to get authentic and official information.
IG appealed to the public to be wary of fake, misleading, and negative propaganda campaigns circulating on social media.
