The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday, 4 May 2025 expressed grave concern over the rapid shrinking of civic space, the erosion of judicial independence, and deepening insecurity across Pakistan over the past year. In its annual report titled 'State of Human Rights in 2025', the rights body documented a systematic suppression of freedoms with far-reaching consequences for the rule of law.

Suppression of Free Expression and Dissent

The HRCP found that the right to freedom of expression — particularly the right to question authority and demand accountability — was significantly suppressed in 2025. According to the report, legal and institutional mechanisms were increasingly weaponised to curb dissent. Amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), alongside the use of sedition and anti-terrorism laws, led to the widespread targeting of journalists, political workers, activists, and lawyers.

"Reports of intimidation, enforced disappearances, and restrictions on movement contributed to a climate of fear and self-censorship, limiting public discourse and obscuring human rights violations," the report stated. Critics argue this represents one of the most concerted crackdowns on civil liberties in Pakistan's recent history.

Anti-Terrorism Laws Expand Arbitrary Detention

The HRCP flagged amendments to Pakistan's Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 at both federal and provincial levels — particularly in Balochistan — that reportedly allowed law enforcement agencies and the armed forces to detain individuals for up to three months without charge or judicial oversight. The rights body said these changes expanded the scope for arbitrary detention while undermining protections of liberty and due process.

This comes amid a broader pattern of legislative amendments that critics say have progressively narrowed the space for legal challenge and civilian oversight of security operations.

Judicial Independence Under Threat

The report documented a marked deterioration in judicial independence, particularly following the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which, according to the HRCP, "reconfigured judicial appointments and expanded executive influence." Key court decisions in 2025 further narrowed democratic space, raising serious concerns about due process and the separation of powers.

Notably, these included rulings that allowed the military trials of civilians and effectively stripped the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) of the reserved seats it had been granted in 2024. The HRCP described these developments as raising "serious concerns" about institutional checks and balances.

Security Crisis and Vulnerable Groups

Security challenges compounded human rights violations across the country, with militancy and counterterrorism operations disproportionately affecting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, resulting in significant civilian and law enforcement casualties. The report stated that enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and collective punishments persisted throughout the year.

Vulnerable groups — including women, children, religious minorities, and transgender persons — continued to face violence and discrimination without adequate redress, according to the HRCP. Miners and sanitation workers were identified as particularly at risk, with little reported progress in improving their occupational safety.

Climate Disasters and Institutional Failures

The HRCP also flagged climate-related disasters, especially in Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, which caused multiple civilian deaths and destroyed infrastructure. The authorities' response, the report noted, remained reactive rather than focused on long-term resilience — a recurring criticism levelled at successive Pakistani administrations during climate emergencies.

With the HRCP's findings now formally on record, pressure is expected to mount on Islamabad from international human rights bodies and foreign governments ahead of Pakistan's upcoming universal periodic review cycle.