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Former PM Imran Khan cut off from outside world for over a month
Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister, Imran Khan, has been denied visitors for more than five weeks, his party alleges, as authorities intensify efforts to silence opposition voices. The government attributes the ban to Khan's violation of jail rules prohibiting political discussions, but his family and supporters claim the move is a deliberate attempt to erase his influence.
Military's expanding role fuels crackdown on critics
Khan's sister, Aleema Khanum, told the BBC at a recent protest near Rawalpindi's Adiala jail that two names are now effectively banned from public discourse: "You can't say anything nice about Imran Khan, and you can't say anything bad about [military chief] Asim Munir." She described the restrictions as an assault on basic rights, including Khan's ability to meet lawyers and family.
Khan, jailed since August 2023 on corruption charges he calls politically motivated, has used jail visits to relay messages to his party via his X account. With meetings halted, those communications have ceased. The military has pushed back against his criticisms, with a spokesperson labeling Khan a "national security threat" after he called Munir "mentally unstable" in a post.
Human rights advocates and journalists face escalating repression
Last weekend, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband were sentenced to 10 years in prison for sharing "anti-state" social media posts. Amnesty International condemned the conviction as part of a broader pattern of "coercive tactics to silence dissent."
Journalists report growing pressure, including unofficial bans on covering Khan or criticizing the military. Azaz Syed, a reporter for Geo TV, said even tangential stories-such as one on a defense housing authority-triggered warnings from unknown callers. "They've controlled mainstream media to a large extent," he said.
"Editors aren't doing this for fun. They're doing it to survive."
Munizae Jahangir, journalist and HRCP co-chair
Self-censorship is now rampant, with one anonymous journalist telling the BBC it's "worse than outright censorship" because it deceives audiences. Dawn newspaper, Pakistan's oldest, faces financial strain after an unannounced ban on government advertisements, which editors called "financially crippling."
Legal tools and harsh sentences expand state control
In early 2025, amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act introduced steep fines and vague definitions of "national interest," effectively criminalizing criticism of the military or judiciary. Media analyst Adnan Rehmat called the changes "disproportionate," noting that unspoken rules make boundaries unclear.
This month, seven journalists and YouTubers-including two former army officers-were sentenced to life in absentia for "digital terrorism" linked to 2023 protests. One defendant, Adil Raja, wrote on X that "speaking truth to power is now called Digital Terrorism in Pakistan."
Government denies authoritarian shift, but experts warn of erosion
Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry dismissed claims of repression, calling Khan "the most privileged prisoner in Pakistan" and denying Dawn's ad ban. The military's communications arm, ISPR, stated it "does not regulate media content," while security sources insisted the military operates "within legal bounds."
Yet analysts see a dangerous trend. Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council described the repression as "the worst during any period of civilian rule," linking it to the military's dominance. A November 2025 constitutional amendment granted Munir lifetime immunity and oversight of defense forces, further consolidating military influence.
"If the military is more dominant, there will be less space for protest, dissent, and free expression."
Munizae Jahangir
Researcher Azeema Cheema noted a shift toward institutionalized repression: "Now you are using the courts. You are using institutions, not extra-institutional measures."
Historical continuity or a new era of control?
While restrictions on media and dissent are not new-Khan's own government faced criticism for press crackdowns-observers say the current environment marks an escalation. "It feels like something has shifted," Cheema said, pointing to the use of courts and laws to enforce silence.
For now, the question is where the state's "blunt hammer" will fall next. As one journalist put it: "We're all trying to calculate the risks."
