Pakistan: Lawyers and activists criminalised, protests disrupted and journalists harassed

The state of civic space in Pakistan is rated as ‘repressed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor. Ongoing concerns include the repression against the opposition, the censorship of journalists and attacks on peaceful protests held by the opposition and human rights movements. Other ongoing concerns include the criminalisation, threats and harassment against human rights defenders and the failure to hold perpetrators to account. There have also been violations documented against ethnic Pashtun, Sindh and Baloch minorities and women’s rights activists.

On 23rd April 2026, the UN Committee against Torture undertook a review of Pakistan’s record on implementing the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Among the questions raised include consistent reports that the use of torture by the police was widespread throughout Pakistan. The types of torture reported included beatings with batons, sexual violence, prolonged sleep deprivation, and mental torture.

In recent months, human rights lawyers have been convicted for their expression while a Pashtun activist was charged again for his activism. Security forces abducted the brother of a Baloch woman human rights defender. Human rights activist Mahrang Baloch has been detained for a year while detained human rights defender Idris Khattak is facing life-threatening health risks. A Women’s Rights Day march was disrupted with arrests while opposition party members have been arrested and convicted for protests. Journalists have been detained and charged for their reporting and tweets. Journalists in exile also remain at risk of judicial harassment.

Association

Conviction of human rights lawyers for tweets

On 23rd January 2026, Islamabad police arrested human rights lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha while they were travelling in the Islamabad High Court Bar Association’s (IHCBA) vehicle to the District Sessions Court. Police reportedly used undue force and failed to produce either an arrest warrant or a First Information Report (FIR), before transferring them to an undisclosed location.

On 24th January 2026, the Sessions Court in Islamabad sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 17 years’ imprisonment and fines of Rs. 36 million (USD 128,847) each under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) under sections 9 (glorification of an offence), 10 (cyber terrorism), and 26-A (false and fake information). The case was based on tweets published between 2021-2025 which highlighted human rights violations in Pakistan. The human rights defenders are presently held in Adiyala Jail, Rawalpindi.

According to Front Line Defenders, the sentencing comes at the end of a flawed and accelerated trial in a baseless case targeting freedom of expression and human rights advocacy. Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were systematically denied their due-process rights including the right to mount an effective defence.

UN experts expressed alarm at the conviction, stating that: “Lawyers, like other individuals, are entitled to freedom of expression. The exercise of this right should never be conflated with criminal conduct, especially not terrorism.”

Imaan Mazari is a human rights lawyer who has represented countless victims of human rights violations, taking up cases of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and custodial violations. Hadi Ali Chattha is a human rights lawyer who has represented countless victims of false blasphemy cases, sexual violence, rape and enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

Pashtun activist detained on trumped-up charges

On 16th March 2026, Ali Wazir, human rights defender and former opposition member of Pakistan’s National Assembly, was arrested and detained under anti-terrorism charges in Hyderabad, Pakistan. This followed his release from detention earlier that day, having been granted bail by a bench of the Sindh High Court in another case. Since then, two additional cases have been filed against him in Dadu and Jamshoro, containing substantially similar allegations.

Ali Wazir is a prominent leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), a grassroots civil rights movement from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province highlighting issues of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, and discrimination and violence against the ethnic Pashtun minority.

According to Amnesty International, since 2020, Ali Wazir has faced multiple arrests and has been charged in dozens of trumped-up cases in Islamabad, Punjab, Balochistan and Sindh provinces, intended to keep him in detention and silence him and his activism related to violations against the ethnic Pashtun minority. Since August 2024, Ali Wazir has been held in custody. His lawyers have stated that the authorities have repeatedly denied him access to legal counsel and that they have experienced significant difficulty in meeting him to sign basic documents such as power of attorney.

Security forces abduct brother of Baloch woman human rights defender

On 21st April 2026, Pakistan security forces abducted Daad Shah, a writer and the brother of woman human rights defender Fozia Baloch, from their home in Karachi. According to Front Line Defenders, the security forces did not provide a warrant or official confirmation of the abduction, and the authorities in Pakistan have not disclosed information about his fate or whereabouts. It is believed that Daad Shah has been forcibly disappeared in reprisal for Fozia Baloch’s human rights work.

Fozia Baloch is a woman human rights defender and a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), whose members face serious reprisals by state authorities, including collective punishment against family members. She has spoken out publicly against violations in Balochistan, such as extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and custodial torture of Baloch persons by security forces and intelligence agencies.

On 25th April 2026, Aram Bagh police arrested family members of Daad Shah Baloch, who had gathered outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) to talk to journalists and others about his abduction by plainclothes forces without a warrant. Those arrested included Fozia Baloch, Mahal Baloch (Fozia’s mother), Zalya Baloch, Karima Baloch and Zahra. They were released the following day.

Human rights activist Mahrang Baloch detained for a year

Pakistani human rights defender Dr. Mahrang Baloch has been detained for more than a year. The prominent leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was arrested along with other activists on 22nd March 2025 during a peaceful sit-in protest in Quetta, calling for the release of detained BYC members.

Since her arbitrary detention, authorities have brought a series of charges against her. Anti-terrorism laws and the public order ordinance have been used to criminalise her legitimate human rights work. She has previously faced charges under the Anti-Terrorism Act and sedition.

There are also due process violations against Dr. Baloch. These include including denial of access to legal counsel, lack of transparency on charges, and the use of closed proceedings. Reports indicate concerns about her health, access to adequate medical care and treatment in detention.

Baloch’s arbitrary detention is indicative of escalating crackdowns on Baloch activists and human rights defenders in Pakistan. Authorities have increasingly relied on vague laws, including counter-terrorism legislation. They have been used to silence peaceful dissent, documentation of abuses such as enforced disappearances, and calls for accountability.

Detained human rights defender Idris Khattak facing life-threatening health risks

On 2nd April 2026, a group of independent human rights experts raised grave concerns about the deteriorating and life-threatening health risks of Pakistani activist and human rights defender, Idris Khattak.

According to the UN, an international independent medical professional, who has reviewed Khattak’s medical documentation – and whose medical opinion has been seen by the experts – concluded that Khattak’s health and life is at serious risk, given his current detention conditions, including his limited access to medication and medical care, and if his urgent needs related to his diabetes, high blood pressure and dental infection continue to be untreated. Further, the experts received reports that Khattak is already showing serious symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes and health deterioration.

The experts said: “His prolonged detention conditions and the alleged denial of necessary adequate medication and medical treatment, given Mr Khattak’s acute health needs, have detrimental consequences endangering his life.”

As previously documented, the human rights defender was forcibly disappeared on 13th November 2019 and found in state custody over seven months later. He was tried and convicted by a military court under the Official Secrets Act (OSA) and sentenced to 14 years’ imprisonment in December 2021.

Peaceful Assembly

Women’s Rights Day march disrupted with arrests

Several women’s rights activists, including Aurat March members, were detained by police in Islamabad ahead of a rally they planned to hold on the occasion of International Women’s Day on 8th March 2026.

They were detained near Super Market in Sector F-6. They had planned to reach the National Press Club, but a huge contingent of police was already present there, who arrested the marchers and took them to the Women’s Police Station.

The Women’s Police Station released a list of 19 women activists of Aurat March. Those detained include prominent activist Dr Farzana Bari, two of her daughters, and human rights defender Tahira Abdullah, along with other Aurat March organisers and participants.

According to the police, 44 participants of the Aurat March were detained, of whom 25 were men, and 19 were women. The activists were picked up in terms of Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) which empowers district administrations to prohibit an assembly of four or more people in an area for a limited period. The Islamabad district magistrate said the march organisers did not have a No Objection Certificate.

Three women journalists who had gone to cover the protests, including investigative reporter Saddia Mazhar, were also arrested. Reports suggest the women marchers were dragged, beaten up, and had their arms twisted by the police before being arrested.

This year’s Aurat March was held under the theme “Feminist Constitution.” Since 2018, the march has been organised nationwide on International Women’s Day and is seen as a symbolic protest advocating women’s rights, gender equality, and social justice.

In previous years, there have also been attempts to block or disrupt the Aurat March, with organisers receiving online death and rape threats.

Opposition party members arrested at protest near Karachi Press Club

On 5th April 2026, police detained 23 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party leaders and workers, including two former lawmakers, after they had reportedly clashed with police near the Karachi Press Club (KPC).

PTI workers and supporters had gathered at the spot to hold a demonstration against “rising inflation in the country and the increase in prices of petroleum products to record levels”. According to the PTI, the police subjected the protesters to violence. Posts on social media showed policewomen dragging women protesters. There were reports of shelling and a baton charge, allegedly in response to individuals pelting stones.

Later, South Deputy Inspector General Syed Asad Raza said that police had arrested 23 workers and leaders of the PTI, including two former lawmakers, under Sections 188 (disobedience to an order lawfully promulgated by a public servant), 186 (obstructing public servant), 149 (offence committed by member of unlawful assembly) and 147 (punishment for rioting).

PTI party members have been systematically targeted since the new government took over in 2022, with many arrested and criminalised.

Court sentences 47 opposition members in absentia for 2023 protests

On 7th March 2026, an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan sentenced in absentia 47 leaders and supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to 10 years’ imprisonment on terrorism charges.

Judge Amjad Ali Shah of the Anti-Terrorism Court-1 in Rawalpindi sentenced the 47 on charges under Section 21-L of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997, which prohibits a person accused of another offence within the ATA, 1997 from obstructing justice by avoiding arrest or evading participation within an inquiry or investigation. This offence bears a minimum sentence of 5 years and a maximum sentence of 10 years. The 47 were also sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 500,000 (US 1,785).

The case stems from the 9th May 2023 protests, on the day of Imran Khan’s arrest. On that day, thousands of protestors stormed the General Headquarters (GHQ) and other military installations, leading to the destruction of property and the death of at least eight people. More than 4,000 people, including many members of the PTI, were arrested in the wake of the protests. The 47 sentenced in this case faced terrorism charges related to the riots. The court alleges that they led a mob of up to 300 people to attack GHQ gate number 1 and pelt military personnel with sticks and petrol bombs.

Expression

Digital journalist Sohrab Barkat detained and charged for his reporting

Sohrab Barkat, a 31-year-old correspondent for the online news outlet Siasat.pk, was arrested at Islamabad International Airport on 26th November 2025, while attempting to travel to a UN conference. Following his arrest by the Federal Investigation Agency, he was transferred to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in Lahore. On 18th January 2026, Siasat announced the closure of its Islamabad office, citing increased pressure and operational difficulties stemming from Barkat’s ongoing detention.

According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), The journalist faces at least three separate First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). The first, registered on 5th August 2025, accuses Barkat of spreading ‘derogatory remarks’ and misinformation about state institutions, charges reportedly linked to an interview he conducted with an opposition activist. A second FIR, dated 26th August 2025, includes allegations of ‘hate speech’,‘defamation’, and ‘cyber harassment’.

A third FIR was registered on 5th December 2025, while Barkat was already in custody, including charges of ‘cyberterrorism’ and spreading ‘false information’, allegedly in relation to his social media coverage of protests in Kashmir and the Nobel Peace Prize nomination of human rights activist Mahrang Baloch.

While courts granted bail in two of the cases in December 2025, the Lahore High Court denied his third bail application on 21st January 2026, after the prosecution labelled him an ‘absconder’. He was eventually granted bail on 18th February 2026.

Journalist sent to jail on judicial remand for tweets

On 24th April 2026, journalist Fakharur Rehman was arrested under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). According to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency’s NCCIA first information report (FIR), the journalist was one of the nine accused of spreading “false and misleading information against state institutions” through the social media platform X.

The NCCIA had registered the FIR under Section 20 (offences against the dignity of a natural person) and 26-A (dissemination of false and fake information) of PECA. The following day, a local court rejected the NCCIA request for his physical remand and instead sent him to jail on judicial remand.

During the hearing, defence counsel Ahad Khokhar argued that the prosecution had failed to clearly establish the extent of Rehman’s alleged role. He maintained that the journalist had merely quoted statements made by a religious scholar in a post on X and had not expressed any personal opinion.

Iqbal Khattak, Executive Director of Freedom Network, criticised the government, stating that: “Today’s court decision is drawing our attention to the fact that the government is building cases and making arrests without investigation and evidence, which is becoming a cause of disrepute for this government and the entire country.”

On 27th April, a judicial magistrate granted post-arrest bail to Rehman.

Journalist in exile faces harassment

Ahmad Noorani, the founder of the investigative website Fact Focus based in the United States since March 2020, and his family have been facing harassment.

In response to a referral by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) and claims that he failed to respond to several summonses, an Islamabad court ruled on 3rd December 2025 that an arrest warrant be issued on the basis of complaints allegedly filed in July and August 2025 for “propaganda” against the army on social media.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), he has been the subject of multiple accusations in Pakistan since the publication of his investigation into the country’s army chief, General Asim Munir, in March 2025. His report claimed that some of the general’s close associates had been appointed to senior positions despite lacking adequate qualifications.

The day after this investigation was published, both of the journalist’s brothers were victims of enforced disappearance for 33 days. They subsequently lost their jobs, had their bank accounts frozen, their passports cancelled and their names placed on lists of persons prohibited from leaving the country. One of them was prevented from leaving Pakistan on two occasions. The journalist’s mother saw all her bank accounts successively closed, reopened by court order, and then frozen without explanation.

Court sentences exiled journalists to life over 2023 pro-Khan protests

On 2nd January 2026, an anti-terrorism court in Islamabad sentenced four journalists to life imprisonment in absentia on charges of “inciting violence” during the riots that followed the arrest of Pakistan’s former Prime Minister Imran Khan in May 2023.

According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the journalists’ portraits were plastered on the streets of Pakistan's major cities, where they were presented as “traitors” to the nation. Even in exile, their persecution continues. The four Pakistani journalists sentenced to life imprisonment were freelance YouTube journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan and Sabir Shakir, former editor-in-chief of the daily newspaper The News International Shaheen Sehbai, and the editor-in-chief of the online media outlet Global Village Space, Moeed Pirzada.

According to the court rulings, the “terrorism”-related charges stem from content they posted online about the protests on 9th May 2023, which were triggered by the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. Although they were covering events in Pakistan from abroad, they were accused of “inciting” violence, stirring up societal “unrest” and promoting “hostility” towards the armed forces and state institutions.

All four journalists are in exile, having left Pakistan for fear of reprisals. Three of them live in the United States and the fourth, Sabir Shakir, lives in Britain.

Citizen arrested in Islamabad over Strait of Hormuz post

On 21st April 2026, an individual was arrested for a social media post comparing a railway crossing in Islamabad’s suburb of Tarnol to the Strait of Hormuz.

The citizen, identified as Khurram Nazeer, a resident of Dhok Paracha, was arrested over a social media post about traffic congestion caused by the closure of a railway gate during peak train hours at Tarnol. In his post, Nazeer had written, “Tarnol Railway Crossing is no less than the Strait of Hormuz. If it is closed, all our problems will be resolved.”

The reference to the Strait of Hormuz — a strategically vital waterway between Iran and Oman — is widely believed to be rooted in the heightened security environment in Islamabad, amid speculation that the federal capital may be hosting backchannel Iran-US negotiations to end the ongoing conflict. The unusual security clampdown in the city has triggered public frustration and satiric commentary on social media.

Nazeer was subsequently produced before a local magistrate, who remanded him to Adiala Jail on judicial remand. He was charged under three sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC): Section 188 (disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant), Section 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint), and Section 511 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or a shorter term). He was released on bail the day after his arrest.