Press release HRCP roundtable calls for coalition to defend freedom of expression 19 August 2026, Karachi: At a roundtable convened by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) earlier today, journalists, editors, digital media practitioners, artists, academics and human rights defenders from across Pakistan agreed to establish a broad national alliance to confront the escalating assault on freedom of expression. Organised with the support of the European Union, the roundtable brought together leading media professionals and rights advocates, including Nasir Zaidi, Azhar Abbas, @WusatUllahKhan, Husain Naqi, Salima Hashmi, @ZarrarKhuhro, Sohail Sangi, Dr Tauseef Ahmed, @AmberRShamsi, @farzanaalispark, @OwaisTohid, @ShahzebJillani, @ShahzadaZulfiqa, Munaza Siddiqui, Amir Suhail, @Mehmal Sarfaz, @Akbar_notezai, @AsadAToor, @AbsaKomal, Fazil Jamili, Waqas Alam, Rustam Ali, @adnanrehmat1, @farahziaa, Harris Khalique and HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt. Participants warned that Pakistan was witnessing one of the gravest crises for freedom of expression in recent decades. They pointed to the unchecked abuse of laws such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), expanding censorship, surveillance, arbitrary restrictions on online expression, shrinking access to information, intimidation of journalists and increasing pressure on independent, regional and digital media. Importantly, they stressed that these curbs no longer affected journalists alone, but also ordinary citizens exercising their constitutional right to free expression. The proposed alliance will bring together journalists' unions, press clubs, freelance and digital journalists, lawyers, artists, civil society organisations and other democratic actors to coordinate advocacy, strategic litigation, documentation, rapid-response mechanisms and public mobilisation in defence of freedom of expression across Pakistan. Participants also agreed on a common reform agenda. They called for the repeal or amendment of laws, regulations and administrative measures that criminalise dissent, restrict online speech or enable censorship; an end to impunity for attacks, enforced disappearances, killings, threats and harassment of journalists; and stronger safeguards to protect editorial independence from political, commercial and institutional interference. The meeting further emphasised the need to create safer and more equitable spaces for women journalists and to extend equal protections to freelance and digital media practitioners. Participants urged journalists' unions, associations and press clubs to modernise their role by providing legal assistance, collective representation and emergency safety support, while calling on media organisations to guarantee fair wages, written contracts, insurance and safe working conditions. Recognising Pakistan's diversity, participants stressed that efforts to defend freedom of expression must reflect the distinct realities of all provinces and territories, ensuring that regional voices and civic spaces are equally protected. Asad Iqbal Butt Chairperson @EUPakistan