IT Correspondent
Guwahati, April 28:
As India starts mounting all kinds of strategic pressure on Pakistan for its covert support to the terrorists while indulging in various terror activities inside the Kashmir valley for decades, the media outlets based in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi have seemingly shown its aftermath. The mainstream media outlets of Pakistan on Sunday reported how Jhelum river was flowing with a charged current of water ‘due to New Delhi’s hands’, which recently suspended a 65 years old bilateral rivers-treaty after the Pahalgam barbaric incident, where at least 26 innocent tourists faced the bullets of terrorists after they were targeted on the basis of religions.
Popular newspaper ‘The Express Tribune’ on 27 April 2025 published a news item titled ‘Sudden water surge in Jhelum baffles all’ with a photograph stating how a swelling Jhelum river in Muzaffarabad, capital of the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, surprises everyone as the local weather continues to be dry with no recent rainfalls. Mentionable is that Jhelum flows from Jammu and Kashmir to PoK and then enters Punjab province of Pakistan.
“The sudden release of water triggered a high-level flood, causing fear and havoc among local communities overnight,” said the report, adding that the Muzaffarabad administration declared a water emergency as the rising waters caught residents flat-footed. Following the situation, mosque announcements were made across riverside settlements, warning people to take immediate precautionary measures, while the administration launched emergency safety protocols, added the report.
Another influential daily ‘The News International’ reported that ‘there was a sudden severe flood in the Jhelum river, causing panic among the local people’. The Muzaffarabad administration has imposed a water emergency after the situation. The report also added that the move was ‘a clear violation of international laws and river agreements’. ‘Daily Times’ also alleged that ‘India suddenly released water into the Jhelum river without informing Pakistan’ that caused a sharp rise in water levels near Muzaffarabad. In response, the local administration declared a water emergency in Hattian Bala, warning residents through mosque announcements. The move created panic among people living near the riverbanks, the report added.
Media outlet ‘Dunya News’ also reported that India suddenly released water into the Jhelum river following which a sharp rise in water levels up to 8 feet near Muzaffarabad was witnessed. Similarly, ‘Pakistan Today’ reported that the sharp rise in Jhelum water levels was also observed in Chakothi area also, which caused panic among local residents living near the riverbanks. ‘Ary News’ alleged that a large quantity of water was released in Jhelum to create a flood like situation in Pakistan. The local disaster management authority claimed that the water was discharged from the Uri dam on the other side of the border. A warning has been given by the authorities that the surge in water flow could lead to partial flooding, it added.
Earlier, New Delhi sent a stern message to Islamabad with a major diplomatic offensive including the closure of integrated Attari-Wagah check-post, exemption of visa service to Pakistani nationals and suspension of Indus Waters Treaty, which was signed in Karachi by the then Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistan President Mohammed Ayub Khan. India’s foreign ministry said in a statement, “The IWT of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
Meanwhile, the government asked all media outlets, precisely news channels, to refrain from ‘showing live coverage of defence operations’ and also movement of security personnel. An advisory, issued by the Union information & broadcasting ministry after the Pahalgam terror attack on 22 April 2025, said that all media platforms, news agencies, and social media users are asked to exercise utmost responsibility and adhere strictly to existing laws and regulations while reporting on matters concerning defence and other security related operations in the interest of national security.
“Specifically: No real-time coverage, dissemination of visuals, or reporting based on ‘sources-based’ information related to defence operations or movement should be undertaken. Premature disclosure of sensitive information may inadvertently assist hostile elements and endanger operational effectiveness and the safety of personnel,” added the advisory citing the past incidents like Kargil war, Mumbai terror attacks, Kandahar hijacking, etc where unrestricted coverage put unintended adverse consequences on national interests.
“Media, digital platforms, and individuals play a vital role in safeguarding national security. Apart from the legal obligations, it is a shared moral responsibility to ensure that our collective actions do not compromise ongoing operations or the security of our forces,” stated the advisory, adding that the concerned ministry had earlier issued advisories to all television channels to adhere to Rule 6(1)(p) of Cable Television Networks (Amendment) Rules, 2021), where the Rule 6(1)(p) states that no program should be carried in the cable service which contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces.
The advisory stated that such telecast is in violation of the cable television rules and liable for legal actions. Hence, all television channels are advised not to telecast live coverage of anti-terrorist operation and movement by the security forces. Media coverage shall be restricted to periodic briefing by an officer designated by the appropriate government till such operation concludes. All stakeholders are requested to continue exercising vigilance, sensitivity, and responsibility in coverage, upholding the highest standards in the service of the nation, it concluded.