Pakistan is once again at the centre of international concern for widespread human rights abuses, including the suppression of free expression and the egregious misuse of blasphemy laws. These laws continue to fuel horrific acts of mob violence and extrajudicial killings, creating a climate of fear. As global bodies like the United Nations raise alarms in Geneva, prominent political figures and human rights defenders, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, have become targets of state repression. Amnesty International believes that human rights abuses in Pakistan are “rampant” and out of control. Human Rights Watch says the human rights plight in Pakistan has deepened. Movements such as the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which advocates for the rights of marginalised Pashtuns, have been silenced. Most recently, the harassment of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a Baloch human rights activist, has drawn international attention. Pakistani authorities blocked her from travelling to the U.S. to receive a prestigious Time Magazine award for her work, further highlighting the government’s authoritarian grip. It shocked global human rights activists. Malala Yousafzai, one of Pakistan and the globe’s most prominent human rights campaigners said, “Mahrang Baloch’s activism for Baloch people should be recognised, not denied a platform. I am disappointed she could not be honoured in person for her advocacy. But I know this will not deter her from continuing to speak up and protest peacefully for human rights,” in a post on X, the social media platform. Frustration is growing.
Pakistan’s membership in the Commonwealth is now under serious debate, with an open letter calling for its suspension due to the state’s blatant violations of the Commonwealth Charter. This growing international pressure, amplified by figures such as Hina Jilani and the late Asma Jahangir, raises the critical question: Can Pakistan be compelled to reform under the weight of global scrutiny?
A Deepening Human Rights Crisis
Pakistan’s human rights landscape has deteriorated dramatically in recent years, with state repression increasingly targeting political movements, journalists, and activists. The case of Imran Khan, ousted in April 2022 and subsequently arrested on politically motivated charges, is emblematic of this authoritarian trend. Similarly, the banning of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), which exposes military abuses in tribal areas, underscores the state’s aggressive stance against any group that threatens its dominance. PTM leaders have been harassed, detained, and charged with sedition, reflecting a broader crackdown on dissent.
At the heart of Pakistan’s escalating crisis are its blasphemy laws, which have fostered a culture of impunity for mob violence. Since 1990, at least 85 people have been murdered in connection with blasphemy accusations, many of them lynched or killed in public without consequence. These laws disproportionately impact religious minorities—Christians, Ahmadis, and others—as well as political dissidents and those with mental health issues. Despite decades of advocacy by human rights figures like Hina Jilani and Asma Jahangir, the government has failed to enact meaningful reforms.
Joseph Janssen, a prominent human rights defender, has voiced his condemnation of Pakistan’s use of blasphemy laws, stating, “Pakistan is in breach of the Commonwealth Charter due to its systematic disregard for core human rights values, particularly evident in its blasphemy laws. These laws not only facilitate wrongful arrests and extrajudicial killings but also foster an environment of fear and violence against vulnerable communities.” Janssen further highlighted several tragedies from recent years, including the 2024 killings of Nazir Masih, Muhammad Sulaiman, Syed Khan, and Dr. Shahnawaz, and the mob attack on Christian settlements in Jaranwala, Faisalabad in 2023. These incidents, he explained, “highlight the state institutions’ failure to protect citizens, fostering a dangerous climate of impunity and undermining the principles of democracy and the rule of law.”
The persecution of Dr. Mahrang Baloch, recognised internationally for her courageous work documenting human rights violations in Balochistan, stands as another stark example of Pakistan’s hostility toward human rights defenders. Despite global acclaim, Pakistani authorities prevented her from travelling to collect her award, mirroring the repression faced by other activists and movements, including the PTM and the broader Baloch rights movement.
The Debate Over Commonwealth Suspension: An Effective Measure?
The Commonwealth Charter enshrines principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law—principles Pakistan has systematically violated. The state’s failure to protect religious minorities, uphold freedom of speech, or prevent extrajudicial violence has sparked calls for its suspension from the Commonwealth. In an open letter to the Commonwealth Secretary-General, organizations such as the Jubilee Campaign, Bitter Winter, European Association for the Defense of Minorities, and Human Rights Without Frontiers urged decisive action, stating:
“Despite international condemnation, the government of Pakistan has failed to reform these laws or protect its citizens from mob violence. Its inaction directly contravenes the values espoused by the Commonwealth and damages the credibility of the organisation as a force for promoting democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.”
Taha Siddiqui, a Pakistani journalist living in exile, echoed this sentiment, condemning the state’s use of blasphemy laws: “Blasphemy laws have not only encouraged violence by the general public at large, but now there is a new trend of law enforcers extra-judicially killing those accused of blasphemy.” He further criticised Pakistan’s military for its role in empowering non-state actors: “The Pakistani state institution—the military, known for its link to Islamist extremists—has also used non-state actors known as blasphemy brigades for its political objectives against the politicians and civil society.” Siddiqui called for Pakistan’s suspension from the Commonwealth, arguing, “To pressure Pakistan to undo this environment of fear, its membership at the Commonwealth must be suspended until it abolishes blasphemy laws, dismantles the blasphemy brigades, and punishes law enforcers who were involved in extrajudicial killings of the accused.”
Joseph Janssen, a Pakistani Christian who signed the letter, added that “the Commonwealth has a moral obligation to respond decisively, reinforcing its commitment to democracy and human rights by considering Pakistan’s suspension. This would not only hold Pakistan accountable but also demonstrate solidarity with those suffering in confinement for decades under its oppressive legal framework.”
Would Suspension Aid Pakistan’s Human Rights Reform?
Suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth would serve as a powerful diplomatic rebuke, signalling that the international community will no longer tolerate systemic violations of human rights. This move could potentially create enough pressure to force the government into reform, particularly regarding its oppressive blasphemy laws and its treatment of activists and political movements.
- Diplomatic and Symbolic Impact:
A suspension would deliver a clear message: Pakistan’s actions are incompatible with the values upheld by the Commonwealth. The diplomatic isolation could hurt Pakistan’s international standing, amplifying its pariah status on the global stage and increasing scrutiny of its human rights practices. - Economic Consequences:
Losing Commonwealth privileges, such as trade concessions and development aid, could harm Pakistan’s already fragile economy. Such economic consequences might force the government to reconsider its policies to avoid further isolation, particularly given Pakistan’s heavy reliance on external partnerships. - Historical Precedent for Reform:
International pressure has worked before. Pakistan was suspended from the Commonwealth in 1999 and again in 2007, leading to steps toward democratic reform. A similar suspension now could catalyse reforms in Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and its treatment of minorities and activists. The tireless work of groups like the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), co-founded by Hina Jilani and Asma Jahangir, already provides a clear road map for such reforms.
Imran Khan’s Persecution and Broader Suppression
The persecution of Imran Khan adds another layer to Pakistan’s deepening crisis. His political movement, once seen as a challenge to entrenched corruption, is now the target of state repression. The state has arrested Khan’s supporters, silenced pro-PTI media, and dismantled civil society organizations. This broader crackdown on dissent reflects Pakistan’s drift toward authoritarianism, where not just political opponents but also minority groups and activists are systematically targeted.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s escalating human rights crisis demands urgent international attention. The calls for Pakistan’s suspension from the Commonwealth reflect growing frustration with the state’s refusal to protect its citizens from mob violence, extrajudicial killings, and political persecution. Figures like Hina Jilani and the late Asma Jahangir have long warned of these abuses, tirelessly advocating for legal reforms that would safeguard the rights of minorities and political activists.
Suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth would be a crucial step toward holding the government accountable and applying pressure for reform. Such action could encourage the abolition of blasphemy laws, protect movements like the PTM, and safeguard activists like Dr. Mahrang Baloch. While change in Pakistan may be slow and fraught with challenges, sustained international pressure remains essential in pushing the country toward aligning itself with global human rights standards.
