Freedom of speech and expression

Challenges persist: balancing security needs with rights, combating rising organized crime and drug issues without draconian tools, and ensuring implementation does not lag.

The international community’s response – through statements, potential aid conditions, or sanctions – will be critical in determining whether such crackdowns face meaningful consequences.

Nepal's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has explicitly implicated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, along with his key cabinet members and senior security chiefs, for gross human rights violations during the deadly Gen Z protests in September 2025.

Experts suggest the Eid address serves multiple purposes: rallying domestic support, discouraging dissent, and messaging the international community ahead of potential future talks. With Akhundzada rarely appearing publicly and operating primarily from Kandahar, his sermons remain key vehicles for policy direction.

For Hindus in Sindh, Christians in Punjab, and other groups nationwide, the wait for meaningful protection continues. The establishment of the NCMR offers cautious hope, but history suggests that transforming promise into protection requires sustained commitment beyond legislation.

Political analysts argue that bot armies reflect deeper issues: a polarized society where winning the narrative matters more than policy substance. “Politics cannot be done by going viral with bot armies,” one parliamentarian remarked, emphasizing the need for authentic engagement.

As deliberations continue, the proposal highlights deeper questions about trust in Pakistan’s democratic institutions.

To combat the specific gendered harms caused by current practices, the HRCSL has strongly recommended the implementation of strict gender-sensitive policing protocols.