The Kashmir Conundrum: Disinformation and Political Exploitation. This tactic is not new; for 78 years, both Pakistan and India have used the Kashmir issue to rally domestic support, distract from internal failings, and justify military and political actions.

October 1, 2025

For nearly eight decades, the divided region of Jammu and Kashmir has been a pawn in the geopolitical strategies of Pakistan and India, with both nations leveraging the territory to advance their internal political objectives. The latest flare-up of violence in Azad Kashmir, coupled with a disturbing pattern of disinformation by Pakistani mass media, underscores the enduring manipulation of the region for political gain.

Recent reports from Azad Kashmir reveal a stark disconnect between the reality on the ground and the narrative being peddled by Pakistani media outlets. As peaceful protests erupted over demands for lower prices of wheat, flour, and electricity, Pakistani television channels and newspapers have been accused of spreading falsehoods and disinformation even before the demonstrations began. This manipulation of information has not only misled the Pakistani public but also exacerbated tensions in the region, contributing to the tragic loss of dozens of lives as government forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.

The protests, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), were initially a response to economic hardships exacerbated by recent subsidy cuts. However, the narrative spun by Pakistani media has often framed these events in a light that serves political agendas, downplaying the legitimate grievances of the protesters and amplifying the role of external influences, particularly India. This tactic is not new; for 78 years, both Pakistan and India have used the Kashmir issue to rally domestic support, distract from internal failings, and justify military and political actions.

In Pakistan, the media's role in shaping public perception of Kashmir has been critical. State-controlled and private media outlets alike have often portrayed Azad Kashmir as a bastion of resistance against Indian aggression, glossing over the region's own struggles with governance, economic disparity, and human rights issues. The recent internet shutdown, which has isolated Azad Jammu and Kashmir from the outside world, has only amplified the media's ability to control the narrative, as videos smuggled out by residents reveal a reality starkly different from the one being broadcast.

Similarly, in India, the narrative around Jammu and Kashmir has been equally politicized. The abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, which stripped the region of its semi-autonomous status, was framed as a move to integrate Kashmir more fully into the Indian union. However, critics argue that this decision was as much about domestic political consolidation as it was about national security. The Indian media, too, has played a role in shaping public opinion, often portraying Kashmiri dissent as either terrorism or foreign-instigated unrest, thereby justifying heavy-handed security measures.

The historical context of Jammu and Kashmir as a "political spawn" cannot be overstated. Since the partition of India in 1947, the region has been a flashpoint in the Indo-Pakistani conflict, with both nations claiming it in its entirety. The 1947 war, the 1965 and 1971 conflicts, and subsequent skirmishes have all been influenced by the strategic importance of Kashmir. The region, once a princely state under British paramountcy, has been divided into Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani-administered Azad Kashmir, and the Gilgit-Baltistan region, each governed differently but all subject to the whims of their respective capitals.

The current crisis in Azad Kashmir, where dozens have been killed by government forces, highlights the human cost of this geopolitical tug-of-war. The lack of internet and communication services has not only hindered the ability of residents to seek help but also allowed for a vacuum in which disinformation can thrive. Videos showing the brutal response to protests, smuggled out at great risk, contrast sharply with the sanitized versions of events being disseminated by Pakistani media.

Internationally, the Kashmir issue remains a contentious one, with the United Nations and human rights organizations calling for dialogue and respect for the rights of the Kashmiri people. However, the entrenched positions of Pakistan and India, buttressed by decades of media manipulation and political expediency, make a resolution elusive. The recent violence serves as a stark reminder that the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to bear the brunt of a conflict that is as much about internal politics as it is about territorial sovereignty.

As the death toll rises and the region remains cut off from the world, the question remains: how long will Jammu and Kashmir remain a political tool, and when will the voices of its people be heard above the din of disinformation and geopolitical maneuvering?

Stay tuned for further developments as the situation unfolds.