The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed worry about the diminishing civic space and restrictions on rights-based non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Punjab. The HRCP’s report titled ‘Regulation or Restriction?’ highlights how NGOs in Pakistan, crucial for civic engagement, are facing challenges due to restrictive laws and policies. These measures have limited the NGOs’ operations and undermined their role as a check against democratic erosion.
The report points out that NGOs in Punjab have to navigate through complex approval processes, including requirements like MOUs with Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Division and security clearances. The HRCP emphasized that these regulations have not only impacted the scale and scope of NGO activities but have also led to the suspension or closure of essential programs focusing on human rights and democracy. Despite occasional relief from the courts, the absence of a rights-compliant legislative framework continues to enable administrative overreach.
During a seminar discussing the report’s findings, HRCP member Zeeshan Noel noted a gradual decline in democratic freedoms in Pakistan, marked by the shrinking civic space due to legal and policy measures. The HRCP observed that women-led organizations and minority groups in Punjab are among the worst affected by these restrictions, facing challenges like reduced support and increased vulnerability to harassment and intimidation. These groups often operate in a state of uncertainty, feeling insecure about their safety and ability to carry out their work.
The HRCP has called on Pakistani authorities to provide swift legal remedies for NGOs facing harassment or threats, whether from state or nonstate actors. They urge for stronger judicial oversight, interim relief against arbitrary actions, and protection for human rights defenders at risk.
