The silencing of former prime minister Imran Khan is only one part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent in Pakistan, as the country’s powerful military intensifies its grip on political opposition, media, and civil society.
In recent months, journalists, activists, lawyers, and opposition figures have faced arrests, intimidation, censorship, and legal pressure. Critics argue that these measures go beyond maintaining order and instead reflect a systematic effort to limit criticism of the military’s role in politics.
Media outlets have reported increasing restrictions on coverage, while social media platforms are closely monitored, leading many voices to self-censor out of fear of retaliation. Human rights groups have warned that the shrinking space for free expression threatens democratic norms and undermines public trust in state institutions.
