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Pakistan

https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/

August 2024

Social media ban amid internet shutdown and firewall concerns

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

July 2024

Supreme Court rules Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party eligible for reserved seats

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

Government announces plans to ban Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)
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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

Government authorizes intelligence agency to intercept and trace calls

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

May 2024

Punjab government passes controversial defamation bill

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

February 2024

General election delivers hung parliament
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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

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Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2023

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Representation
109/173
Rights
142/173
Rule of Law
132/173
Participation
92/173
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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
235 824 862
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (since 2024)
Head of government party
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Parallel
Women in lower or single chamber
16.2%
Women in upper chamber
19.0%
Last legislative election
2024
Head of state
President Asif Ali Zardari
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly + regional/local representatives)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
30/01/2023
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
74.41%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Performance by category over the last 6 months

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Global State of Democracy Indices

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Representation
Representation
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Rights
Rights
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4
Participation
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high 0.7-1.0
mid 0.4-0.7
low 0.0-0.4

Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time

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