World

Kathmandu, Aug 6 (IANS) A planned international conference on Tibetan studies in Kathmandu has been cancelled after Kathmandu University (KU) withdrew from hosting the event following a government directive. Local media reports have linked the decision to concerns raised by China, although the university says it does not know of any such pressure.

The 17th Seminar of the International Association for Tibetan Studies (IATS) — the premier global gathering for Tibetan scholarship — was scheduled to be held in Kathmandu from August 23 to 29.

The Himalaya Centre for Asian Studies, Kathmandu University, and the Kathmandu University Centre for Buddhist Studies at Rangjung Yeshe Institute were preparing to host the event in collaboration with the IATS.

Professor Sagar Raj Sharma of Kathmandu University, one of the event's chief conveners, told IANS that the university withdrew after receiving a directive from the Chief Secretary Govinda Bahadur Karki to suspend the conference, citing the prevailing environment and circumstances.

"The Chief Secretary informed the university that the current environment and circumstances are not appropriate, so the programme should not be held for the time being," Sharma said.

Karki also told 'The Kathmandu Post' that the government had advised the organisers not to hold the event.

"It could be sensitive, several concerns might arise, and it could pose security risks. So we advised the organisers, in good faith, to cancel the event," he said.

Although organisers had confirmed that one of the largest delegations was expected to come from China — including representatives from institutions affiliated with the Chinese government — the conference ran into difficulties amid reported Chinese concerns, according to local media reports.

The leading Nepali daily, quoting an anonymous source, reported that Beijing's concerns were linked to possible protests by Tibetans against China's new Ethnic Unity Law, which came into effect on July 1.

"There have been major protests against China's new Ethnic Unity Law. That is why Beijing intensified its lobbying and used its influence to prevent any untoward incidents in Kathmandu," an organiser was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The report also said that in recent weeks Chinese diplomats had expressed concerns about the conference during meetings with Nepali officials.

On July 21, Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Zhang Maoming met with Nepal’s Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai to discuss the conference, during which the Ambassador reportedly urged Nepal to remain "vigilant" about participants who might make pro-Tibet statements.

Later, on July 29, Venerable Master Yinshun — a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), former Vice President of the Buddhist Association of China, and abbot of the Chinese Temple of Nepal — arrived in Kathmandu.

A senior security official told The Kathmandu Post that Yinshun discussed the seminar during his visit, which also included a trip to Lumbini. Following his visit and another meeting between Foreign Secretary Rai and Ambassador Zhang, about half a dozen Tibetan scholars from the Tibetan Policy Institute in India, associated with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), reportedly withdrew from the conference.

Until recently, Home Minister Sudhan Gurung had maintained that the seminar would not be cancelled and that participants would only be subject to security vetting.

Sharma, however, said the university had no knowledge that the decision was linked to Chinese objections.

"We did not experience any direct pressure or concern from the Chinese side. As for the actual reason behind the decision, the government would probably know better. Since you have access to government officials, I suggest you ask them. We genuinely have no information about it," he said.

He stressed that the conference had no political objective.

"The event was purely an academic conference. It is the university's role to organise academic debates, intellectual discussions and conferences. We regularly conduct such academic events. Beyond that, we had no other objective or vested interest," Sharma said.

He also noted that one of the largest delegations was expected to come from China itself, dismissing suggestions that the conference would have become an anti-China platform. The organisers were expecting to welcome 600-700 delegates from around the world.

Meanwhile, after visiting India in June at the invitation of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane is expected to visit Beijing later this month at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CCP) as part of efforts to strengthen party-to-party relations.

--IANS

scor/as

Tokyo, Aug 6 (IANS) India's Ambassador to Japan, Nagma Mallick, on Thursday, laid flowers at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and paid tribute to the victims of the atomic bomb.

The Indian envoy's visit to Hiroshima came as the city marked the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombing.

Ambassador Mallick met Hiroshima Governor Mika Yokota and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui at a reception where the diplomatic corps in Japan were invited to attend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony.

The Indian envoy, along with Hiroshima Mayor Matsui, Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Chairman Takashi Nakamoto, and Hiroshima Japan-India Association President Kazuhisa Matsumoto, also laid a wreath at Mahatma Gandhi's statue.

In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Japan stated, "Ambassador's Visit to Hiroshima. Ambassador Mallick, together with Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, Hiroshima Prefectural Assembly Chairman Takashi Nakamoto, and Hiroshima Japan-India Association President Kazuhisa Matsumoto, laid a wreath at the statue of Bapu (Mahatma Gandhi). We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all members of the Indian community in Japan who participated, and to everyone who supports India."

On August 6, 1945, a uranium bomb, carried aboard US bomber Enola Gay, was detonated over Hiroshima in the final stages of the Second World War, killing an estimated 140,000 people by the end of the year.

Hiroshima on Thursday urged the international community to abolish nuclear weapons, criticising their use as "tools of intimidation" in military war and how "imperious actions by major powers" breach international law, Japan's Kyodo News reported.

In the Peace Declaration read during the annual memorial ceremony, Hiroshima Mayor Matsui said: "Downplaying the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and accepting the use of force to pursue one's own prosperity risk cycles of violent retaliation that could ultimately result in another Hiroshima or Nagasaki."

A moment of silence was observed at 8:15 am (local time) on Thursday, the exact time when the uranium bomb was dropped and detonated over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, Kyodo News reported.

Approximately 50,000 people gathered at Peace Memorial Park to pay tribute to the victims of the atomic bomb. Representatives of 121 nations and the European Union participated in the ceremony held at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.

--IANS

akl/vd

London, Aug 6 (IANS) Several members of the Kashmiri diaspora staged a protest outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford city of the United Kingdom, condemning brutalities by Pakistani forces against peaceful protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The protesters, including elderly people, women and children, expressed solidarity with the civil society group Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), while calling for an end to the cruel operations carried out by the Pakistani security forces in the region.

They carried placards that read: 'Pakistan Stop Brutalities', 'Pakistan Stop Killing Kashmiris in Rawalakot' and 'We Stand with Awami Action Committee', and raised slogans condemning the Pakistani forces.

The escalating unrest in PoK has claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured over the last few days. The actual death toll is expected to be significantly higher.

The Bradford protest comes amid growing demonstrations by Kashmiri diaspora groups outside Pakistani diplomatic missions across the world. The protesters have been demanding international intervention over what they describe as a brutal crackdown by Pakistani authorities in PoK.

Last week, several British parliamentarians expressed grave concern over brutalities by Pakistani forces against civilians as unrest in PoK continued to intensify.

British Labour Party MP Liam Byrne said that reports of live fire being used against peaceful protesters in PoK are "deeply alarming".

Describing the communications blackout and human rights abuse in the occupied territory as "completely unacceptable", Byrne said that the All Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir -- a cross-party group in the UK Parliament -- has made two demands.

"One, urgent talks with the High Commission of Pakistan here in London to say this has got to stop. But second, we're demanding to see our Foreign Office ministers too, to ensure that they are making representations at the highest level to the government of Pakistan. Ultimately, what is needed here is to honour the long-term commitments made in UN resolutions all those years ago. But in the here and now, we need the violence to stop," the British lawmaker stated.

"We need immediate de-escalation. We need calm heads. And crucially, we need the human rights of Kashmiris to be observed now," he added.

Calling the killing of civilians in PoK a "tragedy", another British MP, Adnan Hussain, said that any use of excessive or unlawful force by Pakistani authorities must be subject to a full, independent and transparent investigation.

"I urge all parties to exercise restraint, protect civilian life and engage in peaceful dialogue. Lasting solutions can only be achieved through calm, constructive engagement rather than further violence or escalation. My thoughts are with all those affected, particularly constituents with family and loved ones in the region," Hussain stated.

--IANS

scor/sd/

Islamabad, Aug 6 (IANS) The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) held nationwide protests to mark three years of PTI founder Imran Khan's imprisonment, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi announcing that the party will again hold a march on September 27 if authorities do not lift the restrictions imposed on the party founder, local media reported on Thursday.

While addressing people in Peshawar on Wednesday, Afridi said that PTI demands included unrestricted meetings with Imran Khan, allowing the PTI founder to receive treatment from his personal physician and expeditious hearings of court cases against him, Pakistan-based leading daily The Express Tribune reported.

Afridi said, "If these demands are not met, we will march on Islamabad on September 27."

He said that Imran Khan could secure his release from prison with a "single signature", but he continued to remain in prison for the sake of the country, its people and future generations. He stated that PTI had lost hope in Pakistan's courts after the 26th and 27th constitutional amendments were implemented by the government.

A large number of PTI's former Members of Provincial Assembly - Ayesha Banu, Momina Basit, and women from the Women Wing, participated in a rally in Peshawar to mark three years of Imran Khan's imprisonment.

Protests were held in Quetta on the call given by Tehreek Tahafuz Ayeen-i-Pakistan (TTAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai. Similarly, protests were staged outside Aiwan-e-Adl in Lahore, where members of the Insaf Lawyers Forum and senior party leaders led a rally and called for the immediate release of Imran Khan.

In Karachi, PTI supporters staged a demonstration near Karachi Press Club and traffic disruptions were reported as authorities blocked roads leading to the venue. In response to the protests, police arrested several PTI leaders and workers and used tear gas and baton charges to disperse demonstrators, The Express Tribune reported.

Similarly, Imran Khan's party also held protests in Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Umerkot, Mirpurkhas, Mithi and other parts of Sindh, where the demonstrators called for the party founder's release.

Imran Khan has remained in prison since August 2023 after convictions that his party, PTI, has termed politically motivated. Since his ouster from office in 2022 through a no-confidence vote, Imran Khan has faced several cases, including allegations involving state gifts and an unlawful marriage case.

Last month, UN Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Alice Jill Edwards, expressed concerns over reports of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's detention conditions and his not getting access to proper medical care. She also urged Pakistan to restore humane conditions and allow the former PM to access medical examination and treatment of his own choice.

In a post shared on LinkedIn, Edwards mentioned that Khan has been kept in near-total solitary confinement for 33 months in a small, windowless cell and is often not allowed to have human contact for over two weeks continuously.

"Fmr PM Imran Khan has now been held in near-total solitary for 33 months in a small, windowless cell under 24-7 CCTV. Often more than 2 weeks continuously, without exercise or meaningful human contact. This far exceeds the MANDELA rules," Edwards wrote in a post on LinkedIn.

"I am also concerned about reports that he is being denied proper medical and is suffering from serious medical issues that have not been treated appropriately, compounding a spinal injury from a 2013 accident and bullet wounds sustained in a November 2022 assassination attempt. I call on Pakistan to restore humane conditions and allow him his choice of medical examination and appropriate treatment," she added.

--IANS

akl/sd/

Suva, Aug 6 (IANS) India and Fiji on Thursday held discussions on strengthening cooperation in affordable social housing, sustainable urban development, waste management and local governance.

The discussions were held during a meeting with India's High Commissioner to Fiji, Suneet Mehta, and Fiji's Minister for Housing and Local Government, Maciu Nalumisa.

"High Commissioner Suneet Mehta was honoured to meet Fiji's Minister for Housing and Local Government, Hon'ble Maciu Nalumisa. Productive discussions were held focusing on strengthening cooperation in affordable social housing, sustainable urban development, waste management and local governance, while exploring opportunities to further deepen the India–Fiji development partnership," the Indian High Commission in Fiji posted on X.

Suneet Mehta also met Fiji's Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Charan Jeath Singh, with discussions held on deepening the development partnership and enhancing cooperation with Fiji Coconut Millers in Coconut and Coir development.

"High Commissioner Suneet Mehta was honoured to call on Fiji's Minister for Multi-Ethnic Affairs Hon. Charan Jeath Singh. Discussions focused on enhancing cooperation with Fiji Coconut Millers in Coconut and Coir development, while further deepening the India–Fiji development partnership," the Indian High Commission in Fiji posted on X.

This comes against the backdrop of the talks on Monday between Suneet Mehta and Fiji's Agriculture Minister Tomasi Tunabuna. Discussions were focused on agriculture and agriculture tech sectors, according to the Indian High Commission in Fiji statement on X.

On Tuesday, the High Commission of India in Fiji and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Suva distributed books to Pacific Nations School.

"Promoting Knowledge, Learning and Cultural Exchange. The High Commission of India in Fiji and Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre distributed books to Pacific Nations School , Suva, fostering a love for reading, lifelong learning, and holistic development among students. Together, we continue to strengthen the enduring bonds of friendship between India and Fiji through education, culture and shared values," the High Commission of India in Fiji posted on X.

Ties between India and Fiji are based on mutual respect, cooperation and strong cultural and people-to-people ties. Indiaʼs links with Fiji started in 1879 when Indian labourers were taken to Fiji under the indenture system by the British to work on sugar-cane plantations, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Over the years, India has supported Fiji in its nation-building efforts across key sectors and in the area of capacity building.

--IANS

akl/sd/

Dhaka, Aug 6 (IANS) Amid an ongoing gas crisis in Bangladesh, owners of CNG filling stations are facing mounting financial losses as low gas supply has reduced sales at most stations to less than half, local media reported on Thursday.

As a result, many owners are forced to cover staff salaries and allowances, electricity and water bills, station rent, and other operating expenses from their own pockets.

The reduced workload at filling stations has also put the jobs of many employees at risk.

They have voiced their frustration, saying effective initiatives are yet to be taken to address the gas crisis, Bangladeshi Bengali daily Jugantor reported.

According to the employees, the country's CNG filling stations have been grappling with multiple challenges for a long time.

Of the 18 per cent profit margin fixed by the government, nearly 14 per cent is spent on electricity bills, leaving only 4 per cent to cover staff salaries and other operational expenses.

The latest gas crisis has further worsened the situation, making it difficult to keep the station running.

"The staff's salaries and station expenses are paid from the income from gas sales. But gas is not being sold because the pressure is low. The staff have to be paid while they are sitting. If this crisis lasts long, there will be no choice but to lay off employees," Jugantor quoted Purbachal Filling Station Manager Md. Shah Alam as saying.

Furthermore, Mahesh Roy, general manager of Best Eastern CNG filling station, said, "We have 27 staff at our station. Most of them are sitting now because they are not working. The big question now is how long the owner will keep them like this and pay their salaries. If sales decrease further, there will be no option but to lay off the employees."

The ongoing gas crisis in Bangladesh has reportedly been caused by a fire at a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Cox's Bazar on July 21, which damaged one of its two boilers and forced the facility to stop operations.

The closed floating LNG (liquefied natural gas) terminal-FSRU of US company Accelerate Energy has finally reopened partially, with limited LNG supply to the national grid resuming on Wednesday evening.

However, the lack of LNG cargoes until August 20 continues to pose a challenge to ensuring uninterrupted gas supply, Jugantor reported.

The country previously supplied around 2.65 billion cubic feet of gas per day, of which more than 1.1 billion cubic feet came from LNG. However, following the fire at the Accelerate Energy terminal on July 21, daily gas supply has dropped to around 2.13–2.14 billion cubic feet.

The resulting gas shortage has disrupted production across nearly all industrial sectors, with many industries now on the verge of closure.

--IANS

scor/sd/

Tokyo, Aug 6 (IANS) Japan's Hiroshima on Thursday marked the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the city amid growing concerns over nuclear risks and rising global tensions.

During an annual memorial ceremony held at the Peace Memorial Park in the western Japanese city, Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui delivered the Peace Declaration, highlighting the catastrophic consequences of nuclear weapons and calling for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament through multilateral efforts.

"Downplaying the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and accepting the use of force to pursue one's own prosperity risks cycles of violent retaliation that could ultimately result in another Hiroshima or Nagasaki," the mayor warned.

As the number of atomic bombing survivors continues to decline, Matsui also called on younger generations to take the initiative and build a broad consensus toward the abolition of nuclear weapons, reports Xinhua news agency.

A moment of silence was observed at 8:15 a.m. local time, the exact moment when an atomic bomb dropped by a US bomber detonated over the city on August 6, 1945, killing around 140,000 people by the end of that year.

Three days after the world's first-ever nuclear attack decimated Hiroshima, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in southwestern Japan.

As the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombings, Japan has long upheld the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibit possessing, producing or permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japanese territory.

In recent years, however, calls to revise the principles have grown in the country, especially within the ruling bloc. Local media previously reported that the government of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi was considering revising the principle prohibiting the introduction of nuclear weapons into Japan. The reported move has sparked widespread concern among various sectors of Japanese society.

The Tokyo Shimbun reported on Wednesday that since Takaichi took office in October last year, at least 128 local assemblies from 36 prefectures across Japan have submitted written opinions to the Diet, Japan's parliament, urging the government to uphold the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. The figure marks a record high.

--IANS

sd/

Seoul, Aug 6 (IANS) The ongoing extreme heat wave in South Korea is expected to slightly subside this weekend after reaching its peak, the state weather service said Thursday.

The current record-breaking heat is expected to peak on Friday before easing slightly thereafter due to changes in the pressure system over the Korean Peninsula, according to the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA).

Despite the slight easing of the heat, temperatures are expected to remain above normal next week, with perceived daytime highs reaching around 35 C, the KMA said, Yonhap News Agency reported.

The agency said the present weather pattern, in which the North Pacific High and the Tibetan High sit over the peninsula simultaneously, will continue only until Friday.

Thereafter, the connection between the high-pressure systems will weaken, allowing clouds to move into the upper atmosphere and reduce solar radiation, the KMA said, forecasting heavy rain along the east coast and on the southern island of Jeju over the weekend.

On Friday, morning lows are forecast to range from 22 C to 27 C nationwide, while daytime highs will range from 31 C to 39 C. Seoul is expected to see a low of 27 C and a high of 39 C.

On Saturday, morning temperatures will be 22 C to 27 C, with daytime highs ranging from 27 C to 36 C. Those temperatures will remain above the 30-year averages for the same day (1991-2020), which range from 21 C to 25 C for morning lows and 29 C to 33 C for daytime highs.

Sultry weather is also expected to persist for a week starting Monday under the influence of the North Pacific High, the KMA said, adding daytime highs will remain between 28 C and 36 C during the period.

Meanwhile, health authorities said on Wednesday that 21 people have died from heat-related illnesses in South Korea so far this year as the country grapples with intense heat.

A total of 2,441 patients have visited emergency rooms for heat-related conditions as of Tuesday since mid-May, when authorities launched the heat-related illness surveillance system, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

Although fewer people suffered heat-related illnesses this year than during the same period last year, more people died this year, with the death toll surpassing last year's total of 20.

One of the latest fatalities was a 60-year-old man, who was working outside on a farm in the county of Eumseong, North Chungcheong Province, on Tuesday.

Among the patients reported this year, heat exhaustion accounted for 61.7 per cent, followed by heat stroke at 16.8 per cent and heat cramps at 11.5 per cent.

--IANS

akl/

London, Aug 6 (IANS) Former Pakistani state minister Rukhsar Ahmed, who was arrested in the United Kingdom in July 2024 on suspicion of raping vulnerable young girls in Manchester in the 1990s and trafficking children in care as part of a grooming gang, has been "re-elected" as a "lawmaker" from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to media reports.

He was elected last week after five years out of office, despite remaining on police bail in the UK following his arrest, British daily 'The Guardian' reported.

Reports suggest that 62-year-old Ahmed was due to answer bail at a police station in Manchester last month, but failed to appear, citing that he was "too unwell to fly".

However, social media images showed him campaigning at various election gatherings in the Mirpur region of PoK.

He was elected last week to the so-called PoK legislative Assembly as a lawmaker for the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) -- the party of Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

According to The Guardian, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) sought to impose bail conditions preventing Ahmed from travelling abroad, but a judge declined the request in July 2024.

On July 18, 2024, Ahmed was arrested at Manchester Airport in connection with child sexual abuse allegations stemming from Manchester's Rusholme area, where he resided for several years.

Ahmed was questioned by investigators in July 2024 following allegations by at least two women who claimed that he had raped and trafficked them when they were young girls.

While he was in custody for questioning, investigators learned about Ahmed's involvement in Pakistani politics.

The case stems from allegations by multiple women who accuse Ahmed of sexually abusing children in care homes during the early 1990s, when he was in his late twenties. He is expected to report to police on bail within the next six weeks. If he fails to do so, GMP may seek his arrest or initiate extradition proceedings, potentially sparking a diplomatic row, according to the report.

The revelation comes weeks after Pakistan turned down the UK government's bid to deport a freed ringleader of a Rochdale grooming gang.

Last month, political parties in the UK urged the Labour Party to stop all foreign aid to Pakistan and impose visa sanctions until Islamabad takes back the child rapist and ringleader of the Rochdale grooming gang.

The UK government is trying to deport Shabir Ahmed to Pakistan, his country of birth, as he was released from prison recently after serving 14 years of his 22-year sentence for 30 child rape offences, leading British daily 'The Telegraph' reported. However, Pakistan refused to take Ahmed back.

--IANS

scor/sd/

Islamabad, Aug 6 (IANS) The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed grave concern over the Pakistani government's new Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, warning that these measures come amid an increasingly restrictive environment for media freedom, with the space for independent journalism continuing to shrink in the country.

The remarks came in the wake of newly issued Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines, which require all foreign journalists to secure a no-objection certificate (NOC) from Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MOIB) to travel to any city outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi for news reporting.

The newly issued guidelines outlined procedures for the registration and accreditation of "foreign media houses, organisations and outlets working in Pakistan and all eligible journalists, media owners, media professionals, sources, freelancers, sponsors, fixers, attached persons, assignees etc, of Pakistan working or contributing for them", leading Pakistani daily Dawn reported.

Criticising the measures, the HRCP said that rather than facilitating journalism, these guidelines would invariably "institutionalise bureaucratic control over news gathering and risk deterring independent reporting on matters of public interest."

"This is the latest in a growing pattern of restrictions on media freedom in Pakistan. From arbitrary curbs on reporting and increasing censorship to legal and administrative barriers, the space for independent journalism has continued to shrink," the rights body stated.

It further mentioned that the mandate for journalists to obtain state approval to report from across Pakistan "sends a chilling message: that critical reporting is unwelcome".

The HRCP called on the government to withdraw these "restrictive measures" and uphold its constitutional and international obligation to protect freedom of expression.

This latest move comes against the backdrop of escalating unrest in PoK that has claimed more than 50 lives and left hundreds injured over the last few days. The actual death toll can be much higher.

The crackdown on peaceful protesters by the Pakistani forces drew international condemnation over the human rights abuses by Pakistani forces and the deteriorating state of media freedom in the region.

Earlier this week, an international press freedom group, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), expressed grave concern over the deteriorating condition of media professionals in the occupied territory, citing internet blackouts, telecommunications shutdowns, restrictions on reporting, and the detention and disappearance of journalists.

The group called on Pakistani authorities to immediately end the crackdown on journalists, restore access to information, and allow independent reporting in PoK.

Furthermore, several social media users in Pakistan recently reported difficulties accessing the international media outlet Al Jazeera website, and raised concerns over press freedom, internet restrictions, and the public's right to access independent information.

The reported restrictions on international media websites, along with concerns over internet access and media coverage during the unrest, have intensified discussions about transparency, press freedom, and the flow of independent information during periods of political instability.

--IANS

scor/sd/