On 20 May, the Punjab Provincial Assembly passed the Punjab Defamation Act of 2024, establishing special tribunals to handle fake news allegations with fines of up to 3 million Pakistani Rupees (approximately USD 10,750) without needing proof of damage or loss. The law permits tribunals to suspend or block the social media account or website on which the alleged defamatory content was posted – a move coinciding with Pakistan’s intermittent blocking of X (formerly Twitter) since February. Press freedom advocates and rights bodies have criticized the bill for its severe penalties and the potential for misuse against government critics, calling for its withdrawal and citing threats to press freedom. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has raised concern that the bill was passed in a rushed manner with no meaningful consultation with civil society and media stakeholders. The Act has been challenged in the Lahore High Court, with petitions filed mere hours after it was signed into law.

Sources: Dawn, International Federation of Journalists, The Diplomat

On 30 January, former Prime Minister Imran Khan received a 10-year jail sentence for revealing state secrets. The following day, an anti-graft court imposed a 14-year sentence on Khan for illegally selling state gifts. In another setback, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission’s decision to strip PTI of its signature cricket bat symbol, citing irregularities in recent intra-party elections. This move was criticized for denying voters the chance to identify the party in upcoming elections, particularly in a country with low literacy rates, and forcing PTI candidates to run as independents. PTI alleges that the government (possibly acting through the army) launched a crackdown on its members after the 9 May riots, resulting in the imprisonment and forced resignations of many of its members. Furthermore, the Supreme Court in January scrapped a lifetime ban on politicians with convictions from holding office, with disqualifications now limited to five-year terms. The ruling makes it possible for Nawaz Sharif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party to run for office, while Khan remains prohibited due to his five-year ban from a prior conviction. Human rights bodies have expressed concerns that recent developments undermine the fair competition and credibility of the upcoming election. 

Sources: Reuters, The Express Tribune, United Nations, Council of Foreign Affairs, International IDEA

Pakistan held its general election on 8 February to elect representatives for the National Assembly and the prime minister. Preliminary election results show that independent candidates won 101 of the 336 National Assembly seats, the majority of which are affiliated with jailed ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, came in second with 75 seats, and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) secured 54 seats. With no single party securing an outright majority, the formation of a government remained uncertain, leaving the decision on the next prime minister in limbo. On 13 February, it was announced Sharif’s PML-N would form a coalition with PPP and other junior parties, allowing them to gain a simple majority - with Shehbaz Sharif nominated to resume the premiership. Voter turnout was 47.8 per cent, down from 51.9 per cent in 2018. Despite a record number of women registered to vote, the turnout for women voters remained low. A record 12 women secured seats in the National Assembly, up from 8 elected in the previous election. The election was marred by controversy and violence, including allegations of electoral fraud, poll rigging, internet disruptions, and mobile service suspensions due to two separate bomb blasts near election candidates’ offices on the eve of the election. The significant delay in announcing election results also fuelled suspicions of political engineering.

Sources: Election Commission of Pakistan, Al Jazeera, Dawn, FAFEN, Pakistan Today

On 20 December, law enforcement resorted to using excessive force, including tear gas, batons, and water cannons, against peaceful demonstrators participating in the women-led "Baloch Long March." Protesters were demonstrating against the persistent repression and human rights violations in the province of Balochistan, specifically in relation to extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.  Home to a two-decade long Baloch nationalist insurgency (a low-intensity conflict) and about 5 per cent of Pakistan’s population, the region accounts for 2,752 of the 10,078 enforced disappearances an independent commission has recorded nationwide since 2011.  On 21 December 2023, authorities arrested more than 300 activists in Islamabad. The crackdown was widely criticized by human rights organizations, eventually leading to the detainees’ release. However, a significant number of activists remain in police custody with cases filed against them, according to Amnesty International and various rights groups.

Sources: Dawn, VOA News, The Express Tribune, Amnesty International

On 13 December, the Supreme Court (SC) ruled that military trials for civilians can resume. This follows a prior ruling in October 2023, which had declared the civilian military trials null and void. The new order upheld a set of intra-court appeals (ICAs) filed by various government ministries, requesting a larger bench of judges to review the prior ruling. The defence ministry's counsel argued that that the previous ruling lacked clarity on which parts of the Constitution and Army Act were deemed unconstitutional, emphasizing the possibility of civilian military court trials for crimes pertaining to the military. At least 103 civilians are currently facing military trials under the Army Act, following the 9 May riots over former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s arrest. However, the Court clarified that military courts could not issue a final verdict without SC approval. Rights experts have previously condemned the use of such courts to try and persecute civilians, with the Lahore High Court Bar Association strongly condemning the SC’s latest decision.

Sources: The Express Tribune, International IDEA, Andalou Agency