CIVICUS places Pakistan on watchlist following election rights concerns

The CIVICUS Monitor has placed Pakistan on its watch list due to a sharp decline in civic freedoms, highlighted by repression against political opposition, censorship of the media, and attacks on peaceful protests. This situation was detailed in a statement on Tuesday, March 5.

CIVICUS, an alliance of over 20 organizations, noted a targeted crackdown on dissenting voices leading up to the February 8 elections, significantly affecting the democratic process.

The former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, and his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), faced substantial hurdles. Khan was prohibited from contesting, and several PTI candidates were disqualified, disrupting the election’s integrity.

In the months before the elections, hundreds of opposition members were arrested, with some facing charges under ambiguous laws and tried in military courts, a practice that contravenes international law.

The CIVICUS statement further indicated that the elections were compromised by restrictions on fundamental civic freedoms such as expression, assembly, and association.

The media’s freedom was particularly targeted; coverage of Khan’s rallies was banned, and the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) restricted airtime for journalists sympathetic to the PTI or critical of the government or military.

Post-election, the clampdown on journalists persisted, with notable figures like Asad Ali Toor facing harassment, marking a continued assault on press freedom.

The government also interfered with digital freedoms, slowing internet services and blocking social media platforms during key opposition events, a move confirmed by independent watchdog NetBlocks.

Josef Benedict of CIVICUS highlighted the systematic crackdown on civic freedoms surrounding the elections, including opposition suppression, internet and mobile service disruptions, and journalist targeting, which undermined the election’s credibility and indicated a democratic backslide.

The latest Watchlist by CIVICUS, timed with the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, includes Pakistan among five countries with notable civic freedom declines, assigning Pakistan a “repressed” civic space rating.

The authorities also targeted human rights defenders and activists, with communities like the Baloch and Pashtun facing severe repression, including enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions, pointing to a broader issue of human rights violations.

Meanwhile, CIVICUS calls for the upcoming government to adhere to international human rights standards and protect activists and human rights defenders. Failure to address these systemic issues will further erode Pakistan’s civic space, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.

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