As 2024 comes to a close, Pakistan finds itself mired in political and social unrest. The anticipated democratic revival following the February elections has failed to materialize, leaving the nation grappling with heightened repression, human rights violations, and significant curbs on civil liberties. Activists argue that despite a change in government, the country operates under the guise of democracy while maintaining martial law-like tactics.

Repression has been particularly evident in the targeting of marginalized groups, such as Baloch women advocating for their rights, and the violent crackdowns on political workers and human rights activists in Islamabad and Karachi. Efforts to stifle dissent, including suppressing peaceful protests like the sit-in at Islamabad’s D-Chowk and the “Rawadari March” in Karachi in the last quarter of 2024, underscore a broader strategy to silence opposition. The Sindh police’s use of torture against rights activists highlights the alarming extent of state-sanctioned violence.

Concerns over civil liberties extend to digital spaces, with social media platforms like X remaining banned and attempts to install internet firewalls slowing connectivity nationwide. These measures not only restrict civic engagement but also hinder economic activities reliant on digital platforms. Young people and civil society activists increasingly feel disillusioned as their voices are systematically silenced. The government needs to lift all restrictions on cyberspace as it also mars the exports coming from information technology and freelancing.

Media freedom, too, has suffered severely. The targeted killings of 151 journalists between 2000 and 2025, as reported by Freedom Network in a recent webinar on civil liberties held by TKF, illustrate the deadly risks faced by media professionals. Self-censorship is rampant due to fear of legal repercussions, while the government’s clampdown on independent journalism has rendered the media an extension of political power rather than an autonomous entity.

Enforced disappearances remain a persistent human rights crisis. The state’s failure to address these disappearances undermines democratic principles and exacerbates public mistrust. Additionally, the government’s inability to safeguard citizens has led to an alarming rise in violence, with terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan claiming innocent lives. Protests in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district over sectarian violence and road closures, which have disrupted essential services and medical supplies, reveal a failure of governance and public safety.

Despite these challenges, Pakistan’s economy has shown resilience, with notable improvements such as record trading levels on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and a $7 billion IMF loan approved in September 2024. Increased exports have also bolstered economic optimism. However, political instability and human rights abuses threaten these gains. Key trade partners like the European Union and the United States have criticized Pakistan’s repressive policies, with the EU warning of potential impacts on its GSP+ trade benefits and the U.S. imposing sanctions on companies linked to the country’s missile program.

The year 2024 has highlighted the fragility of Pakistan’s democratic and developmental progress. While economic recovery offers a glimmer of hope, sustainable development requires a genuine commitment to democratic principles, protection of civil liberties, and adherence to international human rights standards. Without meaningful political actions on these fronts, Pakistan risks deepening domestic discontent which may translate into a population that has lost hope and hence will for political engagement for a better tomorrow.