REGULAR appraisals by human rights groups and activists should not be treated by the authorities as attempts to smear the country’s name. Instead, these valuable observations are crucial to improving the situation of fundamental rights in Pakistan. As expected, the HRCP’s new report, the State of Human Rights in 2025, does not paint a reassuring picture of human rights in the country and indicates that there is much room for improvement. The government would do well to note the areas emphasised in the document. For example, the report says that last year, the country faced “severe contraction of civic space, the erosion of judicial independence, and deepening insecurity”. Among the leading areas of concern was the shrinking space for freedom of expression, with the report noting that the changes made to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act made the law an instrument to curb dissent. Journalists’ bodies have also highlighted the misuse of such laws, which have a chilling effect across the media spectrum, and result in self-censorship. The report is also critical of changes made to the Anti-Terrorism Act at the centre and in Balochistan, as they allow for lengthening the period of detention without charge. However, there were some bright spots as well last year. The report notes that the passage of the National Commission for Minorities Act is a welcome move for non-Muslim citizens, while the passage of child marriage restraint laws in Islamabad and Balochistan are also positive developments.

Over the last year or so, Pakistan has greatly improved its external image, playing peacemaker in some of the toughest disputes in the world, such as the Iran-US conflict. These are indeed welcome developments, but the state must also reflect on how to improve the rights situation internally. If Pakistan is to become a welfare state for all, it must work on strengthening legal and administrative measures so that the weakest and poorest of its citizens are protected from exploitation. The state must be the guardian of the people’s rights, and not look the other way — or worse, be complicit in the abuse of rights. There is much work to be done, but the rulers should take the first step by acknowledging that there are issues that need their attention. The struggle for democratic freedoms must continue, with civil society, political parties and activists all playing their part.

Published in Dawn, May 6th, 2026