A report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has described the systematic restrictions on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Punjab as a clear sign of democratic backsliding across Pakistan.
A report released today details how organisations, particularly those working on human rights, are forced to navigate a complex web of administrative hurdles. These include mandatory Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Economic Affairs Division (EAD), cumbersome approval processes such as district-level permissions, and security clearances, further complicated by mandatory re-registration with provincial charity commissions.
These stringent regulations have severely curtailed the operational space for NGOs, leading to the suspension or complete termination of vital human rights and democracy programmes. Although courts have provided occasional relief, such as nullifying the EAD’s 2022 policy, the report states that the absence of a comprehensive, rights-compliant legal framework allows for the continued misuse of administrative powers.
Evidence gathered by a fact-finding mission suggests that state agencies are escalating pressure through administrative actions while appearing to adhere to legal procedures. These tactics include withholding permissions, freezing bank accounts, and subjecting rights-based organisations to constant scrutiny, forcing many to divert critical resources to compliance or cease advocacy work altogether.
The consequences have been particularly severe for women-led organisations and groups advocating for minority rights. These entities face the dual challenge of threats from non-state actors and a lack of institutional support from the state.
Speaking at a seminar to discuss the findings, mission member Zeshan Noel said that this democratic decline is being actively fostered by progressively restricting civil liberties through legal and policy instruments. Fellow mission member Naseem Anthony added that this process is also leading to an ‘intellectual decline in society’.
Lawyer Saqib Jilani appealed to legal professionals challenging the EAD’s 2022 policy to collaborate on a united front. Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee convener Irfan Mufti highlighted the significant drop in the registration of new NGOs, noting the involvement of multiple law enforcement agencies in the monitoring process.
WISE executive director Bushra Khaliq said that women-led organisations in southern Punjab have been particularly affected by these regulations. Simorgh’s Neelam Hussain stressed that despite financial pressures, the sector’s ‘commitment to resistance and dialogue’ must persist. Peter Jacob of the Centre for Social Justice suggested that the current environment also presents an opportunity for civil society to develop effective strategies through mutual cooperation.
Concluding the event, HRCP vice-chair for Punjab, Raja Ashraf, asserted that fundamental rights are being systematically curtailed under a broader institutional strategy.