On 6 September, Pakistan’s president signed the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act, which restricts public assemblies in Islamabad. Assemblies are now required to be registered a week in advance and are scrutinized over security and public order concerns. Those who assemble without permission face up to three years in prison for a single attendance and up to ten years for repeated offenses. The bill was passed into law just one week after it was presented to the Senate. The swiftness of the process has led to concerns from opposition leader Senator Shibli Faraz that the law is targeted specifically at members of his party as the opposition had planned a large-scale demonstration the following week. Although the law is restricted to Islamabad, Amnesty International warns it could set a dangerous precedent that could spill over to the rest of the country.

Sources: Senate of Pakistan, Dawn, Amnesty International, Al Jazeera  

The social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) has been banned for six months, with the government citing national security concerns since the February general elections. The Sindh High Court is hearing multiple petitions against the ban, with rights experts questioning its legal grounding. Pakistani users have resorted to using virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the block. Simultaneously, businesses and rights activists have decried plummeting internet speeds affecting WhatsApp and other internet services, which, according to media reports, have dropped by 40 per cent. Digital rights experts have criticized the ban and internet disruptions as a violation of citizens’ right to free speech, with some industry experts noting that Pakistan is testing a firewall security system to monitor network traffic and control online spaces. The government and telecommunication authorities have provided conflicting responses behind the disruptions, citing a faulty undersea cable, a “web management system” upgrade to deal with cyber security threats and the overuse of VPNs. The conflicting responses have prompted an Islamabad High Court hearing on the matter set for 3 September.

Sources: Amnesty International, The New York Times, Dawn (1), The Diplomat, Dawn (2), The Express Tribune, VOA News

On 12 July, the Supreme Court declared that former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), was entitled to its share of reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. Pakistan’s National Assembly has 70 reserved seats (60 for women and 10 for minorities) that are distributed among parties based on their performance in the general election. The verdict will likely see more than 20 seats go to PTI-backed candidates in the National Assembly, significantly altering the balance of power and depriving the ruling coalition of a two-thirds majority. Ahead of the February election, PTI candidates had to run as independents after losing their party status and electoral symbol due to a legal case. Following the election, an Election Commission order, upheld by a lower court, barred these candidates from reserved seats. The SC decision has now reversed this, stating that the commission misinterpreted a previous verdict on PTI's electoral symbol.

Sources: Al Jazeera, Dawn, International IDEA

On 14 July, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced that the government is seeking to ban former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on the grounds of inciting violent protests last year and leaking classified information. The announcement comes days after a court overturned several of Khan’s previous convictions, as well as a Supreme Court decision declaring PTI eligible for reserved seats in the national and provincial assemblies. In July, it was further revealed that a United Nations panel declared that Khan’s detention was arbitrary and in violation of international law, calling for his immediate release. The panel noted that Khan’s legal woes were part of a larger campaign of repression against him and his PTI party. Political analysts and rights bodies note that the decision to ban PTI appears politically motivated and an act of “political desperation.” It remains to be seen if and how the government will move forward with the ban.

Sources: Al Jazeera, The Express Tribune, Brookings, The Express Tribune, OHCHR

On 8 July, the government formally granted the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) the authority to intercept and trace citizens’ calls and messages in the “interest of national security.” Opposition leaders and watchdog agencies have raised concerns about the constitutionality of this decision, citing potential privacy violations and the risk of the legal authorization being misused for political ends. Critics argue that the authorization could further entrench the military-run ISI’s influence in national politics. Legal experts note that although this practice is not new, it will now continue under legal sanction. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan stated that “…this measure will invariably be used to clamp down on political dissent through means of blackmail, harassment, and intimidation.”

Sources: Dawn, Reuters, VOA News

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