Pakistan’s Shrinking Civil Liberties and Human Rights Abuses

Geneva, Switzerland. 18 March, 2025

The shrinking space for civil liberties in Pakistan is a significant concern, driven by a combination of political, legal, and security-related factors. While the government often cites national security and stability as justifications for these measures, critics argue that they undermine democracy and human rights. Addressing these challenges will require significant reforms, greater accountability, and a commitment to upholding constitutional rights and freedoms.

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 Political opponents, particularly those critical of the military or government, often face legal challenges, arrests, arbitrary detentions and torture. The main leaders of PTM like Samad Khan and Ali Wazir former member of Parliament along with a prominent tribal elder Malak Naseer Khan Afridi are languishing in prisons on trumped up charges. More than 400 PTM activists have been illegally arrested and detained arbitrarily under colonial era 3-MPO.

Human Rights Violations particularly Enforced Disappearances , extra-judicial killings, arbitrary detentions and torture  in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa  linked to state security agencies and Pakistan Army, without accountability.

Restrictions on Assembly and Association,  Peaceful protests and demonstration are often met with force, For example, the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and Baloch rights activists have faced severe crackdowns. Pashtun Protection Movement (PTM) a peaceful, non-violent, anti-war grassroots Movement advocating for the human rights of Pashtun ethnic minority in Pakistan has been banned illegally by Pakistan on October 6, 2024 designating it as a “proscribed organization” ,  under section 11B of Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997. The ban  violates International Law  and the constitution of Pakistan. One of the reasons for banning PTM seems to emanate from organization of the Grand Pashtun Jirga/Assembly  held  on October 11, 2024. More than 2300 members of Pashtun Protection Movement have been put on Schedule 4 of Anti-Terrorism act, meaning they have been declared terrorists, their bank accounts closed, their Identity cards and telephones blocked and they cannot participate in any political activity in Pakistan.

Politicization of Judiciary is a matter of grave concern and accused of being influenced by the military and government, particularly in cases related to Pashtuns and Baloch.

Strict Media Restrictions are imposed where Journalists and media outlets often face pressure, censorship, and even violence. Critical reporting on the military, judiciary, or government can lead to intimidation, arrests, or forced disappearances. The government has increased surveillance and regulation of social media platforms. Laws like the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) have been criticized for being used to stifle dissent and target activists, journalists, and opposition figures.

 Lack of Accountability which result in  Impunity for human rights abuses by state actors remains a significant issue, with few or no  mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable. The military continues to play a dominant role in politics and governance, often at the expense of democratic institutions and civil liberties.

Human Rights Organizations  like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly raised concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan. The United Nations has also highlighted issues such as enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions, torture and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Co-Organizers :  PTM Switzerland & IRESK

Moderator : Fazal-ur Rehman AFRIDI—Principal Representative at United Nations of TUMUKU Development & Cultural Union (ECOSOC)

President of Khyber Institute for Research & Strategic Studies, France (IRESK), Human Rights Activist, writer & Journalist.

Panalists : 1. Dr. Lahku Lohana, Secretary General World Sindhi Congress. 2. Dr. Naseem Baloch, Chairman BNM. 3. Dr. Eyal Aharon BEERE, Chair Pashtun-Israel Fellowship, Israel. 4. DIBA Akbari, Afghan Journalist and Human rights Defender 5. Golali Karimi, Afghan Journalist and Human Rights Defender 6. Fazal Karim Afridid President PTM Switzerland 7. Dr. Mohammad Qayyum Siyal PTM France