Senior Pakistani journalist Umar Cheema has said that Pakistan’s security role in Kashmir is often overlooked, arguing that public debate focuses heavily on resources and development while ignoring what he described as the state’s role in protecting the territory.
Speaking in his latest vlog, Cheema said Pakistan’s security presence was essential to maintain control of the territory, claiming that if Pakistan were to withdraw its protection for “even 12 hours”, India would gobble up the region.
Cheema made the remarks while discussing what he described as repeated allegations by the banned Jammu Awami Action Committee (JAAC) against the Pakistani state. According to him, the group has, on multiple occasions, accused state authorities of killing large numbers of protesters during demonstrations.
He argued that those allegations had never been independently verified. Referring to both past incidents and more recent claims, Cheema said the reported death tolls had not been confirmed by any credible source.
Cheema also questioned the credibility of images and videos circulating online, warning that advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have made it easier to create convincing fabricated content.
He urged audiences to exercise caution before accepting visual material shared on social media as authentic and to rely on independently verified information.
He further said that neither national nor international media organisations had verified the latest claims made by the banned JAAC, adding that allegations should not be accepted without independent confirmation.
Cheema also criticised the banned JAAC’s political rhetoric, saying the group would remain dissatisfied regardless of policy concessions.
Referring to issues related to electricity tariffs and flour prices, he said, “These people didn’t become happy after electricity was reduced to Rs3 per unit and flour was brought down to Rs2,100 per maund. They will not be happy even after 12 seats.”
He also referred to a recent social media post that he said was published by the banned JAAC, claiming it described former Kashmiri leaders Sardar Ibrahim Khan and Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan as “traitors” who had divided Kashmir and “gave one part to Pakistani generals”.
According to Cheema, the post reflected what he described as the group’s separatist ideology. He argued that its messaging demonstrated the organisation’s political objectives and claimed that its approach would ultimately cause suffering for the people of Kashmir.
