LAHORE: Pakistan continues to face significant human rights challenges, including concerns over freedom of expression, enforced disappearances, judicial independence and the protection of vulnerable communities, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s annual report on the state of human rights in 2025.
The report, titled State of Human Rights in 2025, highlights concerns about restrictions on civic space and the difficulties faced by journalists, human rights defenders, political workers and civil society activists in exercising their fundamental rights.
One of the most serious issues identified in the report is the continued occurrence of enforced disappearances. HRCP Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt said during the report’s launch in Islamabad that 273 people had faced enforced disappearance during 2025. The figure should be understood as an attribution to HRCP and assessed alongside the report’s methodology and any official responses.
The commission also raised concerns about the use of legal measures to restrict dissent and freedom of expression. According to the report, legislation and the application of security-related laws contributed to an environment in which journalists and activists faced pressure, intimidation and possible self-censorship.
The report points to questions surrounding judicial independence, due process and the separation of powers. It argues that legal and institutional developments during 2025 raised concerns about safeguards against arbitrary detention and the protection of fundamental rights.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly stressed that anyone accused of a criminal offence should be dealt with through lawful procedures, presented before competent courts and afforded the right to a fair trial.
The report also identifies security-related challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, where counterterrorism operations and continuing violence have been associated with civilian and law-enforcement casualties. The impact of insecurity on local communities remains an important issue for human rights monitoring and independent reporting.
Women, children, religious minorities and transgender people continue to face risks of violence, discrimination and barriers to justice, according to HRCP. The report also draws attention to workplace safety concerns affecting miners and sanitation workers, whose hazardous working conditions can expose them to serious injury or death.
Climate-related disasters are another area of concern. The report notes deaths and infrastructure damage associated with climate-related events, including in Gilgit-Baltistan, and calls attention to the need for more effective long-term planning and disaster preparedness.
At the same time, the report identifies some positive developments, including legislation relating to minority protections and child marriage in Islamabad Capital Territory and Balochistan. The effectiveness of such measures will depend on implementation, enforcement and access to justice.
The findings underline the importance of transparent investigations, independent journalism, effective legal remedies and the protection of people who report human rights violations.
Reported By: Mirza Maqbool Baig I Senior Reporter I Lahore
