Human rights in Pakistan

Human rights in Pakistan are a complex topic because the country is very diverse, has a large population, and is a developing country. Pakistan is a sovereign Islamic democracy, which means its laws come from both Islamic Sharia law and Common law. This mix of traditions makes the situation different for many people living there. Understanding these rights helps us see how people in Pakistan live and work together.

Overview

The Constitution of Pakistan promises important rights for everyone, such as having a fair Supreme Court and the right to move freely. But these rights are not always followed.

Pakistan was created to support democracy, but it has often been led by military leaders instead of elected leaders. In 2013, Pakistan held its first peaceful election where one civilian government passed power to another. But elections can sometimes be unfair.

Leaders in some areas have tried to stop unfair treatment of women, but this is still a big problem. Sadly, many people face unfair treatment because of their beliefs.

Political Freedom in Pakistan

Pakistan was created to support democratic ideas, but it has often been led by military leaders instead of elected leaders. In 2013, Pakistan held an election where power moved peacefully from one civilian government to another, though the voting had some problems.

Religious minorities in Pakistan still face limits in politics, and the military continues to have a strong influence on the country’s decisions. While Pakistan’s laws include important freedoms like speaking openly and gathering together, these rights are sometimes limited. The courts also struggle with delays and lack of resources. Many people feel that Pakistan’s laws focus more on safety and order than on protecting individual rights.

Freedom of the press in Pakistan

Main article: Freedom of the press in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the law says people should be free to share news and ideas. But it can be hard for journalists to do their work because some groups do not like their reports. Sometimes, news stations are turned off if they say things that powerful people do not want others to hear.

In the past, some journalists have faced danger for their work. This makes it a risky job. The government has also blocked some websites that people use to share information. Even though there are laws to protect human rights, it is still a challenge for everyone to speak freely in Pakistan.

Provincial inequality

Security forces sometimes break rules in places like Balochistan. People suspected of doing bad things might be held without being told why or tried without a fair chance to defend themselves. Some of these people stay in secret prisons.

Laws meant to stop terrorism have raised worries about people’s rights. Some groups have used these laws to treat others unfairly.

Sometimes, people are taken away by authorities and no one knows where they are. This has happened to political leaders, students, and teachers who speak out against the government. Families and rights groups have spoken up about these disappearances.

In areas of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan, people do not have the same rights as in other parts of the country. The government has limited freedoms such as speaking out or gathering together.

Women's rights

Main article: Women in Pakistan

The status of women in Pakistan is difficult because of many social factors. Women today have more rights than before, but there are still big problems.

There is violence against women in Pakistan. Many women and girls face abuse in their homes, and often there is no help for them. The government and police do not always treat this seriously. Sadly, many terrible acts of violence happen to women, and the people responsible are not always punished. Some women have been hurt or killed because of family decisions or disagreements.

Despite these dangers, many women keep working for change.

Political abuse of human rights

In Pakistan, some leaders have stopped journalists from writing about certain topics and have hurt them. Many journalists still write about other subjects, but they are careful.

Sometimes, people in power do bad things to others. For example, some groups hurt innocent people, and many women face unfair treatment. There are also problems with people being forced to work without pay. The government does not always help children or people from different religions. Some laws can be very strict. Sadly, some families still follow old customs that hurt people. These issues are hard to change.

Humanitarian response to conflict

Fighting in Pakistan and conflicts with groups like the Taliban have caused big problems for many people. The government and military have spent more time fighting than helping families who had to leave their homes. This created many people who needed help.

In 2008 and 2009, many families had to leave their homes near the border with Afghanistan. Some stayed with relatives or friends, while others lived in schools or camps. Most did not stay in official camps and often got little help from the government. International groups tried to help but found it hard to reach everyone because of safety issues and military activities. Some groups worked with the government, but this sometimes made it hard to help everyone fairly.

Discrimination against ethnic and religious minorities

Pakistan has challenges with unfair treatment of some religious groups. Communities such as Christians, Hindus, Ahmadiyya, Shia, Sufi, and Sikh people sometimes face attacks. These problems are often linked to extreme groups, and delays in government action have made things harder.

Pakistan’s Constitution tries to protect religious minorities, but some non-Sunni Muslims still face unfair treatment. For example, they cannot hold certain important government jobs. The government has tried to help these groups and reduce conflict. Despite these efforts, some people still face threats and unfair accusations. Recent actions by the military have helped bring more peace, and the government is working to change laws that can be misused.

Extrajudicial killings by police forces and military

The Punjab police's Crime Control Department has been accused of serious incidents since it began. From April 2025 to December 2025, many people died in reported cases across Punjab. This number was higher than the previous year.

Freedom of religion in Pakistan

In 2022, Freedom House gave Pakistan’s religious freedom a low rating. This is because of strict laws about speaking against certain religious beliefs. These laws sometimes harm religious minorities, including Christians and Muslims, especially a smaller group called Ahmadis. Hindus also feel unsafe.

There have been serious problems because of these strict laws. For example, in 2009, nearly 40 homes and a church were destroyed. In 2010, a Christian woman was said to have broken these laws and was given a serious punishment. Many people around the world spoke up for her, and she was later freed and allowed to leave Pakistan.

Hindus and other smaller groups also face many problems. They do not have the same rights to marry and prove their marriages as others. Many Hindus feel unsafe and have left Pakistan to live in other countries. The situation remains difficult for religious minorities in Pakistan.

Forced conversions

In Pakistan, some girls from Hindu and Christian families have been taken away and made to change their religion to Islam without their permission. These girls are often very young, and this is wrong and against the law. Many people have asked the government to help protect these girls.

Sometimes, even very young children are affected. For example, a six-year-old Sikh girl was taken away by someone who claimed she had changed her religion. Some groups have threatened smaller communities, saying they must change their religion or face danger. Some leaders in Pakistan have spoken out against these actions.

Prosecution of activists

In January 2020, Manzoor Pashteen and six others were arrested for speaking out against the government and the army. They had talked about problems during the war on terror. Another activist, Afrasiab Khattak, said this showed unfair treatment of the Pashtun people. Activist Gulalai Ismail had to leave the country because of threats but said their movement would stay peaceful.

On January 23, 2026, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, were arrested for posts they shared online. The government said their posts broke laws about harmful messages online. According to Imaan’s mother, former federal minister Shireen Mazari, the couple were taken to secret places. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported they were detained near the Islamabad High Court. Their location was not known at first. Groups like Amnesty International and the International Commission of Jurists spoke out against the arrest. The government supported the decision, saying the pair would face consequences for their actions. They were also ordered to pay a large fine for their online posts.