Why Selective Silence of Global Rights Groups on PoK

June 28, 2026

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is burning and neither are the protesters or the establishment showing any signs of backing down. The directive from the top man in Pakistan, Field Marshal Asim Munir is clear and that is to put down the protests using brute force. However, Pakistan’s crackdown has exposed the selective silence of global rights groups. In recent days, horrific stories are emerging from PoK. 1,500 people have been arrested using anti-terror laws. Women and children have been fired upon by the Pakistani security forces, while the bodies of the men killed by the security forces are not being returned to the family members. The international community and global human rights advocacy groups who usually are very vocal about issues relating to Jammu and Kashmir are surprisingly quiet when it comes to PoK. What is taking place in PoK is brutal abuse of human rights. The same groups had spoken out loudly when it came to the abrogation of Article 370 and the crackdown on terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Despite the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) pleading with the international community and human rights advocacy groups, there is pin drop silence. The silence clearly signals how a network of digital platforms, western lobbies and regional figures are selectively silent and prioritise Islamabad’s geopolitical narrative over the human rights of the PoK people. The crisis in PoK erupted when the Pakistani establishment failed to yet again keep its promise of bringing reform to the region. The protests are being now being led by the JAAC which comprises a coalition of traders, lawyers and civil society members. They have been seeking economic relief, political sovereignty and curtailment of elite privileges and luxury administrative expenditures for government officials. On one hand the establishment assured that there would be talks with the JAAC and on June 5, the state officially banned the group under anti-terrorism laws. This move turned the civilian community organisers into enemies of the state overnight. Further, Pakistan-banned Internet and mobile services in the region and local channels, too, were suspended. The state police which is in charge of law and order was replaced with heavy contingents of the Punjab Rangers to crush the protests. On June 7 and 8 the Rangers opened fire on demonstrators in Rawalot during which 30 civilians were killed. Disinfo Lab, a group of researchers who investigate Infowarfare and Psy-war, in a series of posts on X questioned the silence of the global ecosystem, think-tanks and NGOs which claim to stand up for Kashmiri self-determination.