Rights groups urge Pakistan to end curbs on free expression

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 5 August 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Coalition of local and international civil society groups urged Pakistan to end escalating restrictions on freedom of expression, press freedom and access to information. They demand legal reform, limits on use of PECA and protection for journalists and lawyers.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — A coalition of local and international civil society organizations has called on the Pakistani government to end what it described as escalating restrictions on freedom of expression, press freedom, access to information, and human rights advocacy, urging authorities to reform laws and practices that it says have been used to suppress dissent.

In an appeal published Tuesday, the organizations said recent actions against journalists, lawyers, and media organizations reflected a broader pattern of restricting protected expression. Addressed to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and senior federal ministers, the appeal argues that Pakistan's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights require any restrictions on freedom of expression to be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.

Coalition cites PECA and media pressure

Among the coalition's principal concerns is the use of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), particularly Section 26A, which it says has been used to issue notices and initiate proceedings against journalists and others for allegedly spreading false information. The appeal specifically references the recent notice issued to journalist Asad Ali Toor and cites earlier notices served on several other journalists and lawyer Tariq Afghan. It argues that cybercrime legislation should not be used to criminalize journalism, legal advocacy, political criticism, or human rights reporting.

The organizations also raised concerns over what they described as pressure on television journalists and media organizations. The appeal refers to the removal of journalist Munizae Jahangir's current affairs program from Aaj TV, the dismissal of journalist Matiullah Jan from Neo News, and the reported removal of anchorperson Kashif Abbasi from television. It also points to regulatory actions by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), including sanctions imposed on Geo News in June, arguing that such measures risk encouraging self-censorship across the broadcast industry. These characterizations are presented in the appeal as concerns raised by the signatory organizations.

Appeal calls for legal and policy reforms

Beyond media-related concerns, the coalition highlighted the continued detention of lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha, internet restrictions in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, the blocking of Al Jazeera's website in Pakistan, and the Foreign Media Facilitation Guidelines 2026, which require foreign journalists to obtain official approval before reporting outside Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. The organizations contend that these measures undermine access to information and independent reporting.

The appeal urges the government to withdraw PECA notices issued solely in connection with protected expression, repeal Section 26A and other broadly worded provisions of the law, reform PEMRA's enforcement powers, restore internet services where restrictions remain in place, release the detained lawyers pending appeal, and review legislation affecting freedom of expression to ensure compliance with Pakistan's international obligations.

The statement was signed by several Pakistani and international organizations, including Amnesty International, Article 19, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Digital Rights Foundation, Bolo Bhi, Lawyers for Lawyers, The Future of Free Speech, and several other digital rights and civil society groups.

At the time of publication, no response from the Government of Pakistan to the appeal had been included in the statement.

ATTRIBUTION: Based on a public statement issued by The Future of Free Speech and partner civil society organizations on August 4, 2026.

PHOTO: https://www.na.gov.pk