Wider Crackdown on DissentObservers warn that Khan’s case is part of a broader pattern of shrinking space for dissent in Pakistan. Last weekend, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband were sentenced to ten years in prison for sharing posts critical of the state. Amnesty International condemned the move, calling for an end to 'coercive tactics used to silence dissent and intimidate those who defend human rights.' Journalists, analysts, and human rights advocates report an increasing number of restrictions on free expression. As the space for protest and free expression narrows, Pakistan faces increasing scrutiny from international human rights organisations and its own citizens.

Source: dna January 30, 2026 05:50 UTC