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. However, these rights are not always followed.

Even though Pakistan was created to support democracy, the country 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.

In recent years, leaders in some areas have worked to stop unfair treatment of women, though this remains a big problem. Sadly, many people face unfair treatment because of their beliefs, and some leaders have spoken against equal rights for everyone.

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 its first election where power moved peacefully from one civilian government to another, though the voting faced problems and some violence.

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 in practice. 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 that people should be free to share news and ideas. However, it can be very hard for journalists to work there 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, many journalists have faced danger for their work. Some have been hurt or worse because of their reporting. 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 when working against groups they see as threats in places like Balochistan. People suspected of bad actions might be held without being told why, or tried without a fair chance to defend themselves. Many people caught this way stay in secret prisons without going to court.

Laws meant to stop terrorism have also raised worries about whether people’s basic rights are protected. Some groups have used certain laws to treat others unfairly. For instance, a law about religious respect can lead to very serious punishments.

Sometimes, people are taken away by authorities without anyone knowing 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 Balochistan, many people have gone missing over the years.

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. In 2019, a protest trying to change this led to many people getting hurt when police tried to stop it.

Women's rights

Main article: Women in Pakistan

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

There is a lot of 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, leaving victims with few options. Sadly, many terrible acts of violence happen to women, and the people responsible are not always punished. Some women have been hurt or killed just because of their families' decisions or disagreements. There have also been cases where women were attacked for standing up for their rights. For example, a young woman named Malala was shot because she spoke about the importance of education for girls, but she survived and continued her work. Despite these dangers, many brave women keep fighting for change.

Political abuse of human rights

In Pakistan, some leaders have stopped journalists from writing about certain topics and have even hurt them. Even though it’s hard, many journalists still write about other subjects, but they are careful not to upset leaders or the military.

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 and lead to serious punishments. Sadly, some families still follow old customs that hurt people, even though many believe these customs go against their religion. These issues are hard to change because many people accept them as normal.

Humanitarian response to conflict

Violence in Pakistan and conflicts with groups like the Taliban have caused big problems for many people. The government and military have focused more on fighting than on helping people, and many families have had to leave their homes. This has created a lot of displaced people who need help.

Many families were forced to leave their homes in 2008 and 2009, especially near the border with Afghanistan. Some lived with relatives or friends, while others stayed in schools or camps. Most did not live in official camps, and they often received 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 faces significant challenges with discrimination against religious minorities. Attacks against communities such as Christians, Hindus, Ahmadiyya, Shia, Sufi, and Sikh people are common. These attacks are often linked to religious extremists, and some laws and delays in government action have made the situation worse.

Although Pakistan’s Constitution aims to protect religious minorities, non-Sunni Muslims often face unfair treatment in public and private life. For example, they cannot hold top government positions. In response to growing tensions, the government has taken steps to support religious groups and reduce conflict. However, violence and threats, including serious accusations, still happen. Recent military operations have helped reduce some of this violence and bring more peace. The government has also worked to change laws that can be misused, protecting people from unfair accusations.

Extrajudicial killings by police forces and military

The Punjab police's Crime Control Department has been accused of involved in serious incidents since it began. From April 2025 to December 2025, more than 900 people died in at least 670 reported cases across Punjab. This number was much higher than the previous year.

Freedom of religion in Pakistan

In 2022, Freedom House gave Pakistan’s religious freedom a low rating. This is partly 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 and have been taken away by force and made to change their beliefs.

There have been many serious problems because of these strict laws. For example, in 2009, nearly 40 homes and a church were destroyed because people thought the Quran had been burned. Sadly, eight people were hurt very badly, and four women, one just a child, were hurt too. In 2010, a Christian woman was said to have broken these laws and was given a very 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. Hindu women have been taken away and forced to change their beliefs. 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, hurt, and made to change their religion to Islam against their will. These girls are often very young, and this happens even though it is wrong and against the law. Many people and groups have spoken out about this problem, saying that the government needs to do more to help and protect these girls.

Sometimes, even very young children are affected. For example, a six-year-old Sikh girl was taken away by someone who said she had changed her religion. Some groups have threatened other smaller communities, saying they must change their religion or face serious danger. Some leaders in Pakistan have spoken against these actions, saying they are not right according to Islamic teachings.

Prosecution of activists

In January 2020, Manzoor Pashteen and six others were arrested for speaking out against the government and the army. They had spoken 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 were against important parts of the country and 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 while with leaders of the court’s lawyers’ group. 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.