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The Human Rights Council of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (HRC-PoJK) has raised serious concerns over reports that journalist, researcher and author Danish Irshad has been placed on the Fourth Schedule.
Irshad has covered in detail the protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, where a crackdown by authorities has claimed the lives of over 80 civilians. The Fourth Schedule is a terrorism watchlist used to monitor people the Pakistani establishment suspects of having links with proscribed organisations. In a post on X, HRC-PoJK said, "The Human Rights Council of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir expresses deep concern over reports of renowned Kashmiri journalist, researcher, and author of the book 'After Freedom' Danish Irshad, being placed on the Fourth Schedule." The rights organisation said free and responsible journalism is essential for maintaining transparency, accountability and protecting public interest. It warned that action against journalists for their reporting, critical questions, alternative viewpoints or disagreement with an official narrative could threaten press freedom. "If action is taken against a journalist merely on the basis of their reporting, critical questions, alternative viewpoints, or disagreement with the official narrative, it can pose a serious threat to freedom of the press and freedom of expression," HRC-PoJK said. The council also questioned the basis for invoking the Fourth Schedule against a journalist, stressing that such measures must have clear legal grounds and supporting evidence. "The use of extraordinary legal measures like the Fourth Schedule must be carried out with clear legal grounds, verifiable evidence, and complete transparency," it said. HRC-PoJK further argued that national security or terrorism-related measures should not be applied merely because an individual holds views that differ from those of authorities. "Viewing a journalist or citizen through the lens of national security or terrorism merely on the basis of differing opinions or independent thinking is not in conformity with the principles of fundamental rights," the post stated. The organisation demanded that authorities clearly disclose the reasons and legal basis for Irshad's inclusion in the Fourth Schedule and provide him with effective legal recourse and a fair hearing.It also called for his immediate removal from the list if no credible legal evidence exists against him. The HRC-PoJK issued a strong message on press freedom: "Do not criminalise journalism. Raising questions is not treason. Differing opinions are the foundation of a democratic society, not a crime." (ANI)
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