Amnesty International on Tuesday, 28 July called on Pakistani authorities to immediately restore internet and mobile communications in Rawalakot, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and allow independent media and observers into the region following reports of lethal force used against protesters on the first day of regional elections.

What Amnesty International Said

Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International's Acting Regional Director for South Asia, described reports emerging from Rawalakot as 'disturbing' and said they are consistent with Pakistani authorities' 'long history of unlawful violence against protesters in PoK.' She demanded that a prompt, independent, and transparent investigation be ordered into the security forces' use of force.

'So long as an internet and mobile services blackout remains in place, it will severely impede the independent verification of the full extent of the situation on the ground. We urge the Pakistani authorities to restore all communications access and allow media and independent observers into the area,' Lassee said.

Violence on Election Day

According to an Amnesty International statement dated 27 July, violence was reported in Rawalakot — specifically in the Dreik Eighth area — where security forces targeted protesters, as well as one incident in Kotli, where a political worker was reportedly killed during a clash between supporters of rival parties. Security forces have reportedly killed 20 people who were boycotting the elections, according to reports, though independent verification remains hampered by the ongoing communications blackout.

The JAAC Ban and Its Role

Lassee noted that tensions around the election have been further inflamed by what she described as the 'unlawful ban' on the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a protest movement that has been spearheading calls to boycott the ongoing polls. Amnesty International has repeatedly called on Pakistani authorities to lift the ban and stop using anti-terror laws to silence and arbitrarily detain JAAC members and supporters.

'The ban cannot be used as an excuse to mete out deadly violence against protesters,' Lassee said. Pakistani security forces have primarily targeted the Awami Action Committee (AAC), which has been leading the election boycott campaign in the region.

Communications Blackout Since June

Mobile internet services in PoK have remained suspended since 5 June, according to reports — a blackout that rights groups say is being used to suppress independent reporting of the ground situation. The suspension predates the election by nearly two months, raising concerns about a systematic effort to limit scrutiny ahead of the polls.

What Happens Next

With communications still cut and independent observers blocked from entering, the full scale of the violence remains unverified. Amnesty International's call for a transparent investigation puts fresh international pressure on Islamabad at a time when scrutiny of conditions in PoK is already intensifying. Whether Pakistani authorities respond — or continue the blackout — will be closely watched by human rights organisations and regional observers alike.