Pakistan has been placed on the Civicus Monitor’s human rights watchlist for 2025, citing restrictions on civic space, targeting of activists, and press limitations. The country joins the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Serbia, Italy, and the United States on the list, which highlights nations experiencing a decline in civic freedoms.
According to Civicus, Pakistan’s “repressed” status stems from the criminalization of activists, restrictions on protests, and digital censorship. The monitor noted that Dr. Mahrang Baloch, leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, and human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir faced criminal charges, including under anti-terror laws. The Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement was also banned in 2024 under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Civicus reported that protests by political opposition and ethnic groups were met with crackdowns, with arrests and blocked routes restricting demonstrations in late 2024. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) was cited as a tool to target journalists, with amendments tightening controls on speech.
Social media platform X remains inaccessible in Pakistan, and internet services were disrupted during protests. The monitor urged authorities to restore civic freedoms and protect free expression, aligning with recommendations made by the UN Human Rights Committee in October 2024.
