* Category includes ratification, accession, or succession to the treaty

The Constitution of Pakistan (1973) recognizes the right of individuals to associate with others to pursue common goals as an inalienable fundamental right.  Relevant constitutional provisions include:

Article 15 Freedom of movement: Every citizen shall have the right to remain in, and, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest, enter and move freely throughout Pakistan and to reside and settle in any part thereof.

Article 16 Freedom of assembly: Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order.

Article 17 Freedom of association:

1. Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of [13] sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality.
2. Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan [14A] or public order and such law shall provide that where the Federal Government declare that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan [14A] or public order, the Federal Government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final. [14B] provided that no political party shall promote sectarian, ethnic, regional hatred or animosity, or be titled or constituted as a militant group or section.
3. Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.
4. Every political party shall, subject to law, hold intra-party elections to elect its office-bearers and party leaders.

Article 19 Freedom of speech: Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court,[15] commission of or incitement to an offence.

Article 20 Freedom of profess religion and to manage religious institutions: Subject to law, public order and morality:

1. Every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion; and
2. Every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.

Article 25 Equality of citizens: 1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law. 2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone. 3) Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.

Laws governing civil society organizations that either explicitly require registration or implicitly confer recognition include:

• The Societies Registration Act 1860
• The Religious Endowments Act 1863
• The Trusts Act, 1882 (II OF 1882)
• The Charitable Endowments Act (VI Of 1890)
• The Mussalman Wakf Validating Act 1913
• The Charitable and Religious Trusts Act 1920
• The Mussalman Wakf Act 1923
• The Cooperative Societies Act 1925
• The Mussalman Validation Act 1930
• The Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control Ordinance 1961)
• The Companies Act, 2017
• The Income Tax Ordinance 2001
• The National Accountability Ordinance, 1999
• The National Accountability Bureau Ordinance, 1999
• The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2015
• The Sindh Charities Registration and Regulations Act, 2019
• Islamabad Capital Territory Charities Registration, Regulation and Facilitation Act, 2020
• The Balochistan Charities Registration, Regulation and Facilitation Act, 2019
• The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Charities Act, 2019
• The Punjab Charities Act, 2018
• Citizen Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020

Administrative Measures that directly or indirectly deals with civil society organizations:

• Policy for Regulation of organizations Receiving Foreign Contributions
• National Action Plan 2015
• Policy for regulation of International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) in Pakistan 2015

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has proposed a centralized domain name system (C-DNS), which aims to control internet freedom in Pakistan by giving the government power to; block websites, control email servers, and obtain information about all websites visited by citizens. This development threatens to severely curtail free internet use and online expression, and represents a threat to civil society, human rights defenders, and other internet users.

In addition, the Federal Cabinet has approved the Data Protection Bill, 2023, which enables the government to force social media companies to store Pakistanis’ user data in Pakistan. The failure to comply will lead to the termination of a social media company’s license to operate in Pakistan. Civil Society members in Pakistan fear that the stored data will be used against them as well as human rights defenders and critical voices of the government. Further, no consultations have been carried out with civil society in order to address these concerns. The Bill is likely to also be approved in Parliament.

We are unaware of any other pending legislative/regulatory initiatives affecting civil society organizations at this time. Please help keep us informed; if you are aware of pending legal or regulatory initiatives, write to ICNL at ngomonitor@icnl.org.

The legal framework in Pakistan recognizes four primary forms of not-for-profit organizations (NPO).

The Societies Registration Act, 1860 states that a society can be formed and registered if its purpose is to promote any one or more of the following activities:

• i. Science;
• ii. Literature;
• iii. Fine arts;
• iv. Instruction and the diffusion of useful knowledge;
• v. Diffusion of political education;
• vi. Foundation or maintenance of libraries or reading rooms for use among members or open to the public;
• vii. Public museums and galleries of paintings;
• viii. Work of art;
• ix. Collection of natural history;
• x. Mechanical and philosophical inventions;
• xi. Instruments or designs; and
• xii. Educational and medical services.

A public charitable trust, under the Trusts Act, 1882, unlike other trusts created for the benefit of specific individuals, is for the benefit of society generally or for certain sections of society. Charitable objectives can be classified under the following divisions:

• i. Advancement of religion;
• ii. Advancement of knowledge;
• iii. Advancement of commerce, health and safety of the public; and
• iv. Advancement of any other object beneficial to mankind.

The Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies Registration and Control Ordinance, 1961,states that a Voluntary Social Welfare Agency is an organization or undertaking established by people of their own free will for the sole objective of providing welfare services in any one or more of the following fields:

• i. Child, youth and women’s welfare;
• ii. Welfare of the physically and mentally challenged;
• iii. Family planning;
• iv. Social education;
• v. Rehabilitation and welfare of patients;
• vi. Welfare of juvenile delinquents;
• vii. Rehabilitation and welfare of released prisoners;
• viii. Welfare of socially handicapped;
• ix. Welfare for the elderly and destitute;
• x. Recreational programmes to ward off people from anti-social activities;
• xi. Training in social work; and
• xii. Coordination of social welfare agencies.

A nonprofit company may seek registration under the Companies Ordinance, 1984, if it is established for furthering the development of:

• i. Commerce;
• ii. Art;
• iii. Science;
• iv. Religion;
• v. Sports;
• vi. Social services;
• vii. Charity; or
• viii. Any other ‘Useful’ objective.

Depending on the organizational form, NPOs are free to pursue both member benefit purposes and public benefit purposes.

Tax exemptions and certain other fiscal benefits are available to certain NPOs, depending on their purposes and activities. Generally, in order to qualify for tax exempt status, the NPO must confer and be seen to confer benefits to society as a whole and not to any particular segment of society.

The relevant laws and regulations affecting public participation include the following:

• NGO Policy, 2021
• National Civic Education Commission Act 2018
• Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016
• The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Information Act, 2013
• The Punjab Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2013
• The Balochistan Right to Information Act, 2021
• Right of Access to Information Act, 2017
• The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Right to Public Service Act, 2014
• The Sindh Public Private Partnership Act 2010
• Joint Forest Management (Community Participation) Rules 2004

At the national level, the special law for civic education and citizen engagement known as the “National Civic Education Commission Act 2018” aims to promote citizen’s engagement in law and policy.

Despite this law, Pakistan’s national laws, policies and decision-making mechanisms largely do not involve civic participation. National laws and policies are made by bureaucratic processes and are generally implemented without any public consultation. Consequently, citizen engagement remains low in national decision making.

However, district-level public hearings are organized by Deputy Commissioners who hold public gatherings every month and document citizen inputs and recommendations regarding specific local laws, policies or events.  Similarly, senate standing committees at the national level are mandated to hold public hearings around decision making, identifying gaps, and making recommendations. Ombudsman offices at every province are responsible for organizing public hearings and settling citizen grievances at the district level. Some provincial legislation, such as The Sindh Public Private Partnership Act 2010, promotes and protects citizen’s engagement and public hearings for development projects.

Public Awareness

There is very low understanding and awareness about public participation and civic engagement among citizens in Pakistan. The government does not publicize rights and laws for civic engagement as it does not wish to encourage dissent or citizens voicing concerns around environmental abuse, developmental projects or injustice against religious minorities. However, due to civil society efforts, there is now improved understanding of the Right to Information Act, whereby citizens may attempt to hold public offices accountable.

Marginalized Groups

The laws in Pakistan have certain components of protection for women, LGBTI individuals, and other marginalized groups. There are special laws for the prevention of domestic violence, acid burning, sexual harassment in the workplace, sexual assault, and child marriages. There is also a national level law for the protection of transgender persons. However, these laws have not been adopted at the provincial level, where women, LGBTI individuals, people with disabilities and the elderly among others face barriers to accessing public services and other areas of participation. Similarly, there is no law or policy to protect or enhance the participation of women, girls, LGBTI and the elderly or other marginalized groups in decision making processes.

In addition, restrictions on public participation tend to fall more on groups and CSOs engaged in human rights promotion or involved in forcible abduction cases. CSOs whose activities are seen to benefit the government-e.g. by providing support in medical emergency, disasters or relief programs are not being subjected to the same levels of intimidation and operational challenges. Conversely, activists and CSOs involved in human rights promotion are often subjected to intimidation or operational challenges such as obtaining multiple No Objection Certificates from different departments and signing different Memorandum of Understandings with different government departments to carry out their legitimate work.

Other Restrictions 

Through the recent national and provincial-level charity laws, the government has made it difficult for civil society to participate in public affairs and improve public participation in policy making. These laws require civil society to register with charity commissions, and prevent them from carrying out work unless registered. Similarly, requirements of the Economic Affairs Division to obtain a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for every project and foreign grant have made it difficult for civil society to mobilize the public on civic participation. The NGO Policy 2021 further requires every civil society organization to go through extensive screening from law enforcement agencies, further restricting civic participation.

The federal cabinet has also enacted special rules to criminalize dissenting voices on social media, leading, for example, to the imprisonment of activists and citizens voicing concerns over military involvement in politics, development projects, and real estate. Similarly, activists and journalists who raise issues of public concern such as environmental pollution are often threatened or forcibly abducted to silence them and restrict civic participation. Similarly, institutional barriers such as obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from district governments, obtaining permission from provincial home departments and obtaining permission from social welfare departments have restricted CSOs from participating and raising public awareness or resisting threats to public safety including climate change, illegal wildlife hunting, coal mining and/or deforestation. District governments and the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) often reject required No Objection Certificates and Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) (respectively) for CSOs who intend to raise awareness or build resilience among communities against illegal wildlife hunting, coal mining and deforestation. Such CSOs are often subjected to additional screening by law enforcement agencies after submission of documents to authorities.

Domestic NGOs may register under any of the four different laws with registration offices in different provinces to operate in Pakistan.

Beginning in March 2018 in Punjab, August 2019 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, October 2019 in Baluchistan, December 2019 in Sindh and June 2021 in Islamabad, respectively, CSOs have been required to register with Charity Commissions under Charity Acts. Registering with Charity Commissions is now required in all provinces and the federal capital. Without registration with Charity Commissions, CSOs are not allowed to operate and obtain funding.

As of November 2015, in Kyber Pakhtukhwa (KP), the Human Rights Directorate of the Government of Khyber Pakhtukhwa is requiring all NGOs working on human rights issues to register with the Human Rights Directorate, or action will be taken against them. The KP Government is imposing this requirement based on Article 7 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Promotion, Protection and Enforcement of Human Rights Act, 2014. The Human Rights Directorate is defining a registration mechanism, which CSOs in KP are concerned will be onerous and expensive. The Human Rights Directorate has recently been formed, and it is now establishing the Advisory Committee and discussing registration fees and reporting requirements.

As per a 2015 Policy for regulation of International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) in Pakistan (see also Document Checklist and MoU between Pakistan and [NGO]), INGOs must reapply for registration through a new online registration form and obtain an MOU with the government. Approved INGOs will be registered for specific field(s) of work and specified location(s) or areas of operation, after consultation with the relevant federal and provincial authorities, and in line with the needs and national priorities of Pakistan. While the responsibility for monitoring and security clearance of NGOs was previously with the Economic Affairs Division, according to the new INGO policy, this responsibility has been shifted to the Interior Ministry. However with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, INGOs that have already signed MoUs with the government may now initiate projects for pandemic relief without acquiring a No Objection Certificate.

In February 2019 the Pakistani government rejected the registration applications of 42 NGOs that sought to sign Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). These MOUs are required for MOUs to obtain foreign funding and open bank accounts. The rejections came after Pakistan was placed on the Financial Action Task Force’s (FATF) grey list, an indication that the country’s financial sector has strategic weaknesses in combatting money laundering and terrorism financing due to inadequate regulations, enforcement, or both. The MoUs, which specify “geographical domain and nature of work of the signatories,” are signed for a period of five years and can be renewed.

Lastly, in December 2021, Parliament passed the Islamabad Capital Territory Charities Registration, Regulation and Facilitation Bill, 2021, which empowers a commission established under the law to cancel the registration of NGOs, refuse their registration, and conduct raids on the offices of the organizations without any prior notice.

The Policy for NGOs/NPOs receiving Foreign Contributions, 2021 was issued by the Ministry of Economic Affairs Division in June 2021 to regulate NGOs and foreign funding. According to the policy, every CSO receiving foreign funding must register its project with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). Extensive screening from 14 different departments, including security agencies and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), will be required before bank authorities accept funding in a CSO’s account. Similarly, under the Policy, CSOs are obliged to share details of donors, funding, employees, audit information and activities with security officials during the screening process. Also, under the Policy for NGOs/NPOs receiving Foreign Contributions, 2021,CSOs are not permitted to work in prohibited areas by the government but such areas are not defined and can be arbitrarily interpreted.

Under the Charities Registration and Regulations Act 2019, Charity Commissions have been established in every province and every CSO is required to register with the Commission and share information, such as a list of employees, list of assets, audit information, donor information and beneficiary information. Failure to register with a Charity Commissions leads to cancellation of registration by the registration authority.

All domestic and foreign NGOs are required to register or re-register with the government. According to the INGO policy, INGOs will be registered for specific field(s) of work and specified location(s) or areas of operation, after consultation with the relevant Federal and Provincial authorities, and in line with their needs and national priorities of Pakistan.

On top of legal registration and defined certification requirements, some provincial and district governments have introduced certain additional administrative processes that are inconsistent and arbitrary in nature both in terms of their scope and procedures, with no instructions or standardized mechanisms in place for follow-up and appeals. These administrative orders require a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the provincial Home Department and the concerned District Administration for organizations to implement activities in some districts. Since the requirement is not uniform in its nature, its application is always selective. The requirement is particularly enforced in most districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Southern Punjab.

Since 2018, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has issued notices to several NGOs to inquire into allegations/complaints of mismanagement. Although NGOs do not fall within the legislative purview of NAB, the anti-corruption watchdog issued these notices on the interpretation that any entity using public funds is subject to action/inquiry of the institution.

In addition, FATF compliance has led to enhanced scrutiny of NGOs. The provincial governments have deregistered thousands of NGOs for being dormant or not complying with financial requirement such as submission of audit reports to the governments. For example, Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa provinces have respectively canceled the registration of over 9,000, 7,000, and 4,000 NGOs registered in the province. These organizations were primarily deregistered for not sharing their financial records, including their sources of funding, audit reports, and activities with authorities as required under the relevant laws.

Further, the Federal Board of Revenue, in collaboration with Pakistan Center for Philanthropy, has increased its oversight of the NGOs/INGOs for possible involvement in money laundering or terror financing. The National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also been investigating the sources and use of NGO funds. In 2020, NAB forwarded the inquiries against NGOs, including Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) and Fafen, for further legal proceedings to the Ministry of Interior. It also sent its inquiry against officials of the Fata Rural Programme Project to the relevant department for action.

Federal and provincial governments have also been activating existing and new institutional mechanisms to regulate the work of NGOs and charities. In 2019, the federal government reconstituted the Trust Voluntary Organization (TVO). Created as an indigenous grant-making organization in 1990, TVO aims to tap the potential of NGOs to aid their development process and develop a mechanism for strengthening their contribution to improving the quality of life of neglected segments of Pakistani population. The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also began setting up a commission to regulate the functioning of charities in the province and ensure the effective use of charitable funds under the the province’s Charities Act, 2019.

In the backdrop of this increased government scrutiny, NGOs began demanding a mechanism to facilitate the required registration and liaising with the government. For instance, in February, a group of NGOs recommended the government to devolve NGO registration and the No Objection Certificate issuance process to the district level.

Lastly, the Federal Board of Revenue, in collaboration with Pakistan Center for Philanthropy, has also increased its oversight of the NGOs/INGOs for possible involvement in money laundering or terror financing. NAB has also begun investigating the sources and use of NGOs funds. Similarly, in September 2020, the Pakistan National Assembly further amended the Anti-Terrorism Act and passed the Anti-Terrorism (Third Amendment) Act, 2020, which empowered law enforcement agencies to detain individuals for 30 days and further extend detentions through court orders. The amendment and Anti-Terrorism Act are vague and do not include a definition of terrorism and terror financing.

Barriers to International Contact

The government through the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) has been blocking access to internet and social media sites, preventing citizens from being able to communicate and make international and national contact.

The Economic Affairs Division (EAD) has promulgated the “POLICY FOR LOCAL NGOs/NPOs RECEIVING FOREIGN CONTRIBUTIONS – 2022,” which restricts newly established and unregistered organizations from receiving foreign funding. The Policy restricts initial memoranda of understanding (MOUs) between NGOs and the EAD to a period of six months (extendable if no ‘adverse report is received from the agencies’), and develops a digital database for the application process. In order to apply online, the Policy includes a termination clause of the MOU and receipt of foreign funding for NGOs that breach vaguely worded cultural and religious standards. Such provisions could be used against CSOs that intend to carry out advocacy activities.

Other barriers to resources in Pakistan include:

Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020

In August 2020, the Pakistan National Assembly passed the Anti-Money Laundering (Second Amendment) Bill, 2020 to prevent money laundering in Pakistan. The legislation deems NGOs as foreign funding recipients that must be subjected to scrutiny, regulations. and limitations by different regulators. This development is a threat to civil society because it can be used as a tool to silence dissent.

Foreign Currency Restrictions

From March 2020, the State Bank of Pakistan no longer clears foreign currency/funding received in NGOs’ bank accounts unless a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) is provided.

Policy for Regulation of INGOs in Pakistan

In October 2015, the Interior Minister announced the Policy for regulation of International Non-governmental Organizations (INGOs) in Pakistan. Per the policy, all INGOs working in Pakistan have been advised to apply online for registration with the Interior Ministry or else cease operating. According to the new policy, applications will be processed within 60 working days, but as of January 2016 many INGOs reported not receiving a timely response from the Interior Ministry. The deadline for INGOs to be registered was February 1, 2016. INGOs must sign an MOU with the government, which will stipulate, among other things, the work and geographical area of the organization. In addition, the policy requires INGOs to maintain full disclosure of their activities, their respective areas of work, their sources of funding, and how they utilize their funds, and the government is permitted to demand any information from organizations at any time.

According to ICNL’s analysis of the Policy, key restrictions include:

• An onerous and unclear registration process with no safeguards against arbitrary denial of registration of INGOs.
• Prior government permission required to: (a) access foreign funds; (b) provide direct or indirect assistance to other NGOs; and (c) dispose of assets.
• A thirty percent cap on administrative expenses.
• Prior government permission required to hire foreign nationals, and foreign nationals may constitute only 10 percent of an INGO’s staff.
• Broad and inappropriate bans on political activity and activities inconsistent with government interests or policy.
• Restriction on INGOs from working in locations not previously authorized.
• Government’s unlimited right to information and onerous reporting requirements.
• Broad and inappropriate grounds for cancellation of registration.
• No right to judicial appeal of adverse decisions and actions taken by the government.

INGOs have reported that the registration process is not only onerous, but includes numerous additional hurdles that are not outlined in the new INGO policy. Agencies have demanded additional documentation, in some cases full financial documents going back 5 or 10 years. One additional requirement reportedly demands fees of several thousands of US dollars. Additionally, local staff reportedly have been harassed and/or received phone calls at their homes from security services.

Circular No. 02/2015 on the Renewal of Not-for-Profit Company Licenses

On January 1, 2015, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued Circular No. 02/2015, stating that, pursuant to the National Action Plan on Counterterrorism, it will submit all not-for-profit companies registered under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance to a license re-validation/renewal process to ensure they are not engaged in terrorist financing. Moreover, the process would involve review for compliance with the Companies Ordinance of 1984, including confirming that income and profits “are applied solely towards the promotion of the objects for which the association was formed,” and not used directly or indirectly for other purposes.

In April 2015, the SECP revoked the license of 108 “defaulter” not-for-profit companies registered with the SECP under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984.  According to its press release, the SECP had identified 136 “defaulter companies who had neither filed any accounts, nor applied for renewal of License during the last 05 years,” and the SECP provided them notice and an opportunity to be heard. Following “detailed scrutiny of each case,” the SECP decided to revoke the licenses of 108 companies, “while the remaining shall be dealt-with shortly.”

Policy for Regulation of Organizations Receiving Foreign Contributions

In November 2013, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved a Policy for Regulation of Organizations Receiving Foreign Contributions. Under the policy, domestic and foreign organizations in Pakistan must register with the Economic Affairs Division before using foreign monies, services, and goods. In addition, domestic and foreign NGOs must sign a Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) with the government, which will stipulate, among other things, the work and geographical area of the organization. The policy was deemed to remain in effect until the Foreign Contributions Act is finalized. Until 2016, several CSOs reported that the policy was sparsely implemented, if at all. Furthermore, news reports from June 2015 indicated that the monitoring and security clearance of foreign NGOs shifted from the Economic Affairs Division to the Interior Ministry.

However, in August 2016, the Economic Affairs Division of Pakistan issued a notification announcing the composition and terms of reference for the NGO Consultative Committee mandated to “[s]crutinize registration applications and documents received from Local NGOs receiving or desirous of receiving foreign contributions, in light of the ‘Policy for regulation of Organizations receiving Foreign Contributions, 2013’, other related rules and regulations.” The notification appears to indicate that this policy from 2013 remains in effect. The notification also specifies that applications would be reviewed within a period of four months, and the MOU between the NGO and the government would last up to two years.

However, with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, local NGOs have exempted from the requirement of signing an MOU with the government before obtaining foreign assistance.

Lastly, to support civil society’s efforts to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) of the Federal Government issued a notification on March 26, 2020 granting local NGOs a six-month exemption from the requirement of signing MOU with EAD before using foreign aid. The exemption helped civil society to obtain and use economic and technical assistance announced by various governments to address the pandemic. The Ministry of Interior also issued fresh Standard Operating Procedures to facilitate INGO projects relating to the pandemic. The government further decided to immediately issue No Objection Certificates (NOC) to INGO projects relating to the COVID-19 emergency subject to their compliance with new guidelines announced by the government. INGOs that were already working towards the COVID-19 emergency response in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs) were also not be required to have any prior NOC. However, INGOs were still required to submit four sets of their Plan of Action with explicit mention of funding sources and areas of operations (districts/tehsils) in the country. Only those INGOs which had signed MoUs with the government were allowed to work per the standard operating procedures.

There are no legal barriers specifically restricting the expressive activities of NGOs. However, a number of government measures have suppressed individual criticism of the government, including when Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was banned in 2023 from broadcasting media by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in order to prevent his speeches for public.

Prior to that, in August 2016, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2015 was passed by the Senate and assented to by the President, and in April 2017 the courts for hearing cases under PECA were established. Various NGOs expressed concern that their recommendations to bring the Act into a human rights framework were ignored by the government and legislatives bodies and that, through this Act, the government can force Internet companies to remove or block access to any “speech, sound, data, writing, image, or video” without court approval. NGOs are also concerned that the government will acquire legal powers to censor and track Internet users, criminalize computer security researchers and hand over personal data to foreign powers.

According to ICNL’s analysis of the Act, specific concerns include:

• Data Retention and Intermediary Liability – the PECA requires any internet provider, which includes anyone that provides a premise or facility for the public to access the internet, to store internet data for at least 1 year and produce it when ordered by authorities, regardless of whether such production is lawful;
• Duplicative Crimes – the PECA recriminalizes actions already criminalized in Pakistan’s Penal code, which may result in similar conduct being treated differently and inconsistently;
• Vague Language Affecting the Freedom of Expression – the PECA contains vague language that may invite arbitrary and subjective application, resulting in violations of the freedom of expression and Pakistan’s obligations under the ICCPR;
• Vague Language Affecting the Right to Privacy – the PECA contains vague language that may invite arbitrary and subjective application, resulting in violations to the right to privacy and Pakistan’s obligations under the ICCPR; and
• Expansive Investigatory Powers – the PECA creates a new investigatory agency and provides that agency with expansive, over-reaching surveillance powers with little, if any, meaningful judicial oversight, which will likely curtail the exercise of the freedom of expression and the right to privacy.

Beginning in late December 2016, there were signs of a crackdown on online criticism of the government. In response to controversial images posted on social media against the Supreme Court’s incoming Chief Justice, the Attorney General of Pakistan wrote a letter to the Interior Ministry to take action under the PECA against such internet users who are “indulging in slander online.” Subsequently, at least three bloggers were arrested for posting images of the Prime Minister while labeling them as that of the Chief Justice. In early January 2017, four outspoken social media activists who expressed anti-military views were believed to be abducted by government agents. According to local partners, about a dozen social media activists in total have disappeared, and their Facebook pages (such as “Bhensa,” “Mochi,” “Bol platoon,” “Roshni,” “Taleban are oppressors,” and several others) have been blocked or controlled by someone else. In April 2017, a student at a university in Mardan was also killed by a mob for allegedly posting content on social media blaspheming Islam.

In addition, on June 3, 2018 — with the general elections only a month away — a website operated by the Awami Workers Party (AWP), which was once accessible inside the country, directed visitors to a message stating that the website was “not accessible” because “it contains content that is prohibited for viewership from within Pakistan.” The website, however, was accessible outside the country. The “Surf Safely” alert indicated that the website was blocked by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), which under Section 37 of the PECA is empowered to remove, block, or restrict access to online content it deems unlawful. In an official application submitted by the AWP workers to the Election Commission of Pakistan, AWP stated that despite technical evidence suggesting that the block-out on the website was directed by the PTA, “at no point did AWP receive any information from any government authority, including the PTA, informing us of any reason for the block-out, thereby denying us a chance to resolve the matter amicably.” Following the AWP’s appeal, the website became accessible three days later. However, the reason behind the arbitrary block remained unclear. Moreover, this was just one of a number of instances of political content being blocked without transparency in Pakistan.

In February 2020, the government introduced a new set of social media regulations, the Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020. These rules are subordinate legislation under the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation) Act, 1996 and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016. Under these rules, social media companies will be required to disclose any information or data to a designated investigation agency when requested, and failure to abide by any of the provisions could entail in a fine of up to Rs 500m. The social media platforms will also be required to remove any “unlawful content” brought to their attention in writing or electronically signed email within 24 hours, and, in emergency cases, within six hours. According to the rules, the national coordinator will be the sole authority in determining whether a case constitutes an emergency. Companies may also be required to block unlawful online content and turn over data or information they hold. The national coordinator will engage with social media companies and may require representatives of any company to appear before him in person to discuss any topic related to the operation of the online system.

Civil society, including the representatives of journalists, lawyers and workers unions, has rejected and condemned the rules, demanding the government replace then with a new set of regulations finalized through a consultative process. Following this criticism, the government appointed a committee to review the regulations. The panel was tasked to hold consultations with all relevant segments of civil society and technology companies, in order to develop a system to regulate online content without violating personal freedoms.

On October 14, 2021, the Ministry of Information Technology published additional social media rules (“Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Content Rules, 2021”), which authorize the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block any website or platform that carries any false information that threatens public order, public health and public safety and “decency and morality”. Social media companies must register with the PTA within three months and establish their offices in the country “as and when feasible”. Moreover, social media outlets are required to appoint an authorized compliance officer and grievance officer based in Pakistan, who must address complaints within seven working days. The social media companies can be fined up to Rs500 million (approximately $3 million) for various violations.

Despite the above-mentioned restrictions on speech and advocacy, in December 2021, the Pakistan National Assembly passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021 to protect the lives of journalists, prevent harassment and torture, and ensure journalists’ welfare by providing them with life and health insurance. Nevertheless, restrictions continued. For example, Pakistan’s media regulators blocked the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in February 2024, which caused users across the country to endure sweeping disruptions and partial and complete shutdowns. There was no comment on the outage by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and government officials did not respond to repeated queries for comment, but human rights activists have demanded a full restoration of internet services and access to social media. Coinciding with the shutdown, Liaqat Ali Chattha, who was the commissioner of Rawalpindi, where the country’s powerful military has its headquarters, stated he would hand himself over to police and step down from his position after he admitted to rigging the country’s elections. Pakistan’s election commission rejected Chattha’s allegations, but said in a statement that it would “hold an enquiry”.

Blasphemy in Pakistan

Pakistan’s Blasphemy laws under section 295-C of Pakistan Penal Code restricts citizens from stating any blasphemous content against religions. The blasphemy law is used to silence dissents and activists from free speech.

On December 21, 2019, A district and sessions court in Multan sentenced Hafeez to death for “insulting the Prophet Muhammad” (Sec. 295-C PPC). He was also sentenced to life in prison for “desecrating the Qur’an” (Sec. 295-B PPC) and 10 years in prison for “intending to outrage religious feelings” (Sec. 295-A PPC). Hafeez was also heavily fined.

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan was banned from broadcasting media by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) in order to prevent his speeches for public.

A prior No Objection Certificate (NOC) by the district government in every province is required for any peaceful assembly and protest. If there is no NOC, force is often used to disperse protesters, who are then penalized for maximum of six months in prison or fine or both. For instance, protests against human rights violations, such as those by the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), have been penalized under sedition laws and the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1960.

Article 16 of the Constitution of Pakistan protects the freedom of assembly: “Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order.”

The Pakistan Penal Code 1860, Police Order 2002, Criminal Procedure Code 1898, and West Pakistan Ordinance xxxi of 1960 (i.e., the Maintenance of Public Order 1960) address various aspects of the organization and conduct of an assembly.

Advance Permission

Formal written permission from the Head of District Police or Assistant or Deputy Superintendent of Police is required in advance of any assembly. As a result, spontaneous assemblies are not permitted legally, although sometimes they happen in practice without police intervention. The Head of District Police or Assistant or Deputy Superintendent of Police may refuse to give the permit, if s/he determines that the assembly is likely to cause a breach of the peace. (Pakistani Penal Code, Section 120)

The permit or license provided by the Head of District Police or Assistant or Deputy Superintendent of Police may specify the names of the licensed organizers and the conditions on which the assembly may take place. (Section 120) S/he may also stop any procession which violates the conditions of a license and may order any assembly which violates any such conditions to disperse. (Section 121) Any procession or assembly which does not follow the conditions of the license shall be deemed to be an unlawful assembly. (Section 121)

In 2023, the Home & Tribal Affairs Department enacted section 14 of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Administration (Public Service Delivery and Good Governance) Act, 2020. This Act stipulates that no gatherings of any kind can be convened without the explicit approval of the Deputy Commissioner and could significantly undermine the operations of NGOs because it imposes restrictions on their ability to mobilize and conduct meetings freely. The Act may further curb the spontaneous organization of assemblies, impede the pace of NGO activities, and add an additional layer of bureaucracy to NGOs’ work.

Criminal Penalties

When force or violence is used in an unlawful assembly, every member of the assembly is guilty of the offence of rioting. (Section 146) In addition, anyone who joins or continues in an unlawful assembly, knowing that such unlawful assembly has been commanded to disperse, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with a fine or both. (Section 145)

Enforcement

Section 128 and Section 131 of the Criminal Procedure Code (1898) invite the exercise of excessive government discretion in the use of civil and even military force to disperse an unlawful assembly. If upon being commanded to disperse, an assembly does not disperse, any [Executive Magistrate] or officer in charge of a police station, may proceed to disperse the assembly by force, and may require the assistance of any male person, not being an officer, soldier, sailor or airman in the armed forces of Pakistan for the purpose of dispersing the assembly, and, if necessary, arresting and confining the people who form the assembly so that they may be punished.

In March 2023, the government issued a blanket ban on all kinds of protests, demonstrations and sit-ins in Lahore for seven days. It cited vague reasons, namely the “overall security situation” in the wake of recent “wave of terrorism and threat alerts”. In issuing the blanket ban, the authorities failed to demonstrate the necessity of the ban to protect national security and public order. The government has further violated the freedom of assembly for civil society by baton-charging Aurat March organizers in Islamabad for exercising their right to assembly on International Women’s Day.

A capital on lockdown, internet blackouts and protesters clashing with police (December 2024)
Pakistani security forces launched a night-time operation to disperse thousands of supporters of the country’s jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan after the crowd broke through barricades and gathered in the capital Islamabad demanding his release. Authorities had enforced a security lockdown in the country, imposed internet blackouts and barricaded major roads leading to the capital to prevent protesters from entering after Khan called on supporters to march on parliament. Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that protesters could remain on the outskirts of Islamabad, but threatened extreme measures if they entered the city.

The new Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act threatens the right to protest (September 2024)
Responding to the granting of Presidential assent to the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 and the continued crackdown on peaceful protests in Pakistan, Babu Ram Pant, Deputy Regional Director for South Asia at Amnesty International, said: “The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act 2024 is yet another attack on the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Pakistan which has a long history of enacting draconian legislation to criminalize peaceful protest and suppress the expression of dissent. The Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Bill was presented in the Senate of Pakistan on September 2, 2024 and approved by the Senate Standing Committee on the very next day. It was passed by the Senate and the National Assembly over the course of the following two days, despite objections from opposition parties. Presidential assent was granted in “haste” by the end of the same week.

Lahore High Court sets aside govt policy to regulate NGOs’ funding (September 2024)
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has set aside a federal government policy introduced in 2022 to regulate foreign funding of non-governmental and non-profit organisations. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and other rights organisations had challenged the ‘Policy for Local NGOs/NPOs Receiving Foreign Contributions 2022,’ mainly questioning the federal cabinet’s lack of requisite legislative authorisation. The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRCP) has welcomed the LHC ruling, terming it a key decision for civil society organisations and for civic space in general.

Anchorperson Imran Riaz sent to jail in corruption case following late-night arrest (February 2024)
A Lahore district court sent anchorperson Imran Riaz to jail in a corruption case. Riaz was arrested from his home, with visuals of the arrest going viral on social media. Riaz was presented before Judicial Magistrate Imran Abid by the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE). According to the ACE, Riaz and his father have been accused of securing a contract pertaining to Dharabi Lake in Chakwal at an inflated price.

Pakistan blocks X as activists criticize the social media platform’s shutdown (February 2024)
Pakistan’s media regulators have blocked the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, with users across the country enduring the sixth day of sweeping disruptions and partial and complete shutdowns. There was no comment on the outage by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority and government officials have not responded to repeated queries for comment. Human rights activists have demanded a full restoration of internet services and access to social media.

Pakistan official admits involvement in rigging election results (February 2024)
A senior bureaucrat in Pakistan has said he helped rig Pakistan’s elections, a week after polls marred by allegations of manipulation returned no clear winner. Liaqat Ali Chattha, commissioner of the garrison city of Rawalpindi, where the country’s powerful military has its headquarters, said he would hand himself over to police and step down from his position. Pakistan’s election commission rejected Chattha’s allegations, but said in a statement that it would “hold an enquiry”.

Imaan Mazari re-arrested outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi (August 2023)
Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir was re-arrested outside the Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi hours after an Islamabad anti-terrorism court granted her bail in a sedition case. Confirming the arrest on X (formerly Twitter), the Islamabad police said Imaan was taken into custody in a terrorism case registered at the Bara Kahu police station.

Caretaker govt asks over 30 healthcare institutions to file audit reports (August 2023)
The Sindh health department approached the heads of some 34 healthcare institutions across the province that are run by the government, private groups, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and different welfare bodies which are receiving annual grant from government, and asked them to furnish an audit report to be conducted by a recognised auditing firm. However, many of them had never met the basic financial regulatory requirement.

Mobs burn Christian churches, homes in Pakistan after blasphemy allegations (July 2023)
Armed mobs attacked at least two churches in Punjab province’s Jaranwala town after accusing two Christian residents of blasphemy. Videos on social media showed hundreds of people armed with batons and sticks attacking the Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church, while another mob attacked private homes, torching them and breaking windows. The controversy erupted after torn pages of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims, were discovered near the Christian colony with alleged blasphemous content written on them.

Military courts trial doesn’t curtail rights under law, government tells Supreme Court (July 2023)
The federal government requested the Supreme Court to dismiss all the petitions challenging the trial of civilians in military courts, saying that violence against military and vandalism of army installations was a direct attack on the national security of Pakistan, and was therefore prejudicial to security, interests and defence of Pakistan.

Rights panel “alarmed” by reports of 30 Hindus held hostage In Sindh (July 2023)
“Alarmed by reports of deteriorating law and order in the districts of Kashmore and Ghotki in Sindh, where some 30 members of the Hindu community have allegedly been held hostage,” tweeted the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Moreover, the Commission has received disturbing reports that these gangs have threatened to attack the community’s sites of worship, using high-grade weapons.

PPP leader challenges Shariat Court verdict on Transgender Act (July 2023)
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Secretary General Farhatullah Babar has challenged the verdict of Federal Shariat Court that struck down the Transgender (Protection of Rights) Act 2018 in May. The civil appeal filed with the Shariat appellate bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan by Mr Babar and Sherkan Malik pleaded that the Shariat Court verdict was “discriminatory, illogical, unlawful, unconstitutional and not founded on any sound legal or religious reasoning and is beyond the jurisdiction vested in the Shariat Court by the Constitution”.

Lawyer Jibran Nasir ‘picked up at gunpoint’ (June 2023)
Mansha Pasha, who is married to renowned social activist and lawyer Jibran Nasir, revealed a distressing incident that occurred in DHA Karachi. She claimed that “armed individuals forcefully abducted her husband.” This occurred while they were returning home from dinner.

Imran Khan likely to be tried in military court, says Pakistan’s defence minister (June 2023)
Former Pakistan Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan said that police had surrounded his Zaman Park residence in Lahore and he might be arrested again. Video footage from the site showed a huge contingent of Punjab police outside the ex-PM’s residence.

Transgenders cannot identify themselves as male or female, rules Federal Shariat Court (May 2023)
The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) on Friday ruled that it was not for the transgenders to decide their identity as male or female, and they were not allowed to change their gender based only on their self-proclaimed feelings and desires. The order was announced by the Acting Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court Dr Syed Muhammad Anwer and Justice Khadim Hussain Shaikh on a petition challenging the Transgender Act. The court made it clear in its order that gender was related to a person’s biological sex, and that it has a specific bearing on how various forms of worship, including daily prayers, fasting, Hajj, etc are performed in Islam.

Don’t Try Civilians in Military Courts (May 2023)
The Pakistan government should immediately transfer civilians set to be tried in military courts to the civilian justice system, Human Rights Watch said today. Trying civilians before military courts violates Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights law to ensure the due process and fair trial rights of criminal suspects.

Pakistan’s ex-PM Khan ordered detained amid unrest (May 2023)
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan can be held for eight days, a court ruled a day after the opposition leader was dragged from a courtroom and arrested on corruption charges, deepening the country’s political turmoil. Khan’s arrest set off violent clashes involving his supporters and police in several cities, including Islamabad, that left at least six people dead, and his continued detention raised the prospect of more unrest.

Ban On Coverage Of Public Gatherings Illegal: Rights Bodies (March 2023)
Lawyers, journalists and press bodies have condemned the ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on “live/recorded coverage of any kind of coverage of any kind of rally, public gathering, procession by any party, organisation and individual etc. for today i.e. March 18, 2023 including from the Judicial Complex, Islamabad.” The PEMRA order, while referring to clashes between police and PTI workers outside Zaman Park in Lahore, stated that it had “observed with concern” that satellite TV channels were “showing live footages (sic) / images of a violent mob, attacks on police and law enforcing agencies.”

Police charge Aurat March protesters amid clashes in Islamabad (March 2023)
As the controversial Aurat March has been held in several cities across South Asian nation to coincide with International Women’s Day on March 8, the demonstration in Islamabad turned violent as protesters and law enforcers came face to face. Clips of the violent incident surfaced on social media as cops first tried to prevent the feminist activists from barging into the restricted area, which prompted a heated debate.

Journalist critical of government ‘abducted’ from office (March 2023)
Journalist Siddique Jan who is critical of the government, has been abducted by law enforcement agencies in Islamabad to silence dissent and critics.

Peshawar ATC acquits activist Gulalai Ismail’s parents in sedition case (February 2023)
An anti-terrorism court in Peshawar acquitted social activist Gulalai Ismail’s parents in a case registered by the counter-terrorism department on the charges of sedition, terror financing and facilitation.

Judge Allows PTA To Block More Sites As Wikipedia Restored (February 2023)
The Lahore High Court has allowed the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to block more websites sharing ‘objectionable material’ with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s ordering the restoration of access to Wikipedia, which was blocked on February 3.

JAC To Move Court Against New NGOs Policy (December 2022)
Joint Action Committee an alliance of 30 NGOs has been established which will challenge the newly enacted NGOs Policy in Islamabad High court as it violates fundamental rights guaranteed in Constitution of Pakistan.

INGOs barred from carrying out relief operations in flood-hit areas (September 2022)
The Government of Pakistan has barred some INGOs from carrying out relief operations in flood-hit areas. Many local NGOs are also not allowed to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from the Deputy Commissioner of the district, preventing them from carrying out relief operations.

23 INGOs Get Nod To Work In Flood-Hit Areas (September 2022)
The Government of Pakistan has granted permission to only 23 INGOs to work for flood relief rescue and rehabilitation in flood-hit areas. Civil society has appealed to the government to lift the ban on INGOs in order to provide immediate relief in flood-hit areas and support affected communities.

Pakistan has failed to comply with UN Working Group findings to end persecution of Muhammad Ismail and family (September 2022)
CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance and Front Line Defenders, calls on the Pakistan government to immediately comply with recommendations of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) on the case of human rights defender Muhammad Ismail and put an end to all acts of harassment against him and his family.

Charity urges government to lift ban on some NGOs over floods (September 2022)
Pakistan’s largest charity, the Edhi Foundation, on Friday urged the government to lift a years-old ban on a number of international non-governmental organizations so they can help with relief efforts following catastrophic floods.

Local NGOs exempted from signing MoUs for registration (August 2022)

Social media activist goes ‘missing’ in Karachi (June 2022)

PTA seeks total internet control (June 2022)

Crackdown on NGOs (June 2022)

Pakistan Media Electronic Authority disbanded (April 2022)

PECA struck down by High Court (April 2022)

Policy for NGOs getting foreign funding declared ‘of no legal effect’ (February 2022)

Law to regulate charities enacted to meet FATF requirement (January 2022)

Social media companies could face Rs500m penalty for ‘unlawful’ content (October 2021)

Balochistan’s civil society calls for unity to defend media freedom (October 2021)

INGO policy (April 2020)

All NGOs asked to register with Punjab Charity Commission (July 2020)

Government forms body to review new social media regulations (February 2020)

GSP report (February 2020)

Registration of 9,000 NGOs cancelled (February 2020)

TVO Board meets after six years (November 2019)

Pakistan Faces Blacklisting Over Terrorism Financing and Money Laundering (October 2019)

Pakistan to Remain on FATF Grey List until February (October 2019)

Pakistan Wants China’s Help to Skirt Terror-Financing Blacklist (August 2019)

Civil society under attack (November 2018) 

PPF challenges Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (November 2018) 

Pakistan’s online clampdown (October 2018)

Pakistani scrutiny for multiple NGOs could close Catholic Relief Services (October 2018)

Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2018 presented in Senate (September 2018)

Pakistan issues new guidelines to tighten anti-terrorism laws (September 2018)

Supreme Court permits Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa to run charity operations (September 2018)

Stringent laws against NGOs involved in anti state activities (July 2018)

Civil society welcomes extension of GSP-Plus status for Pakistan (March 2018)

Islamabad High Court suggests making blasphemy law tougher to check its misuse (August 2017)

Remove blasphemous material from social media in four months (April 2017)

Mardan university student lynched by mob over alleged blasphemy: police (April 2017)

Disappearances spark fears of crackdown on leftwing dissent in Pakistan (January 2017)

Bloggers Arrested in Pakistan for Posting Fake Images Online (January 2017)

Interior Minister Takes Notice of Social Media Campaign Against Chief Justice of Pakistan (December 2016)

President enacts Companies Ordinance 2016 (November 2016)

ISI to take action against cybercrimes breaching national security (October 2016)

‘Cybercrime bill to suppress freedom of expression’ (August 2016)

SECP registered 2,747 companies in first half (January 2016)

National Action Plan (NAP) is agenda of Pakistan’s integrity, security: Nisar (December 2015)

Nine INGOs refused registration (November 2015)

NGOs asked to obtain NOCs before continuing relief work (November 2015)

New policy invites frosty response from NGOs (October 2015)

Pakistan: Withdraw Repressive New NGO Rules (October 2015)

Pakistan announces policy for foreign NGOs (October 2015)

INGOs Body endorses new online registration form, draft MoU (July 2015)

INGOs will not be allowed to get registered separately as companies (June 2015)

Foreign Contributions Act 2015: Govt CannotAaccount for 65% of Funding of NGOs (June 2015)

Save the Children Islamabad Office Reopened (June 2015)

Supreme Court asks Government to Provide NGO Source Funding Details (June 2015)

Interior Ministry to Register INGOs (June 2015)

Government bans non-governmental organisation in FATA and Gilgit-Baltistan (June 2015)

Pakistan allows global NGOs for 6 months; re-registration must (June 2015)

Canada wants Pakistan to address NGOs’ concerns: (April 2015)

US concerned over law regulating foreign-funded NGOs (April 2015)

Government revokes licenses of 108 NGOs (April 2015)

Law to monitor INGOs finances (January 2015)

Forum condemns harassment of civil society (December 2014)

Civil Society Protests Against Cleric Who Does Not Condemn School Attack (December 2014)

Draft law being prepared to subvert cyber-crimes (November 2014)

NGOs of Khyber Pakhtunwa, FATA concerned over bill to regulate funding (May 2014)

Continued human rights violations in Pakistan (May 2014)

Foreign-funded NGOs: registration process revised (May 2014)

NGOs decry proposed bill meant to regulate foreign contributions (May 2014)

Govt suspends MoUs signed with foreign-funded organisations (April 2014)

National New draft law for NGOs drops “a cat among pigeons” (April 2014)

Not “Saving the Children” (April 2014)

Pakistani NGOs Fear New Year of Constraints (December 2013)

Government policy on foreign-funded NGOs approved by ECC (December 2013)

Women in civil society (May 2013)

Security needed for rights activists in KP, Fata (February 2013)

Ten Pakistani journalists killed in 2012 (February 2013)

Human Rights Council elections: Pander time (November 2012)

Freedom of expression is good, but misuse a crime (September 2012)

NGO goes to court seeking witness protection laws (February 2012)

Pakistanis’ distrust of foreigners impedes aid groups (January 2012)

Civil society meeting: Commissioner’s threat to NGOs criticized (July 2011)

Disbursement through NGOs: Pakistan seeks details of US aid (May 2011)

Incentive package: EU links trade concessions to human rights record (May 2011)