Between Rights and Realities: The Struggle for Freedom of Speech in Pakistan

Abstract

In Pakistan the 1973 Constitution enshrines the right to freedom of speech. However, this essential freedom has been gradually eroded by a complex interplay of sociopolitical factors and legal restrictions. Ultimately various forces ranging from political pressures and security concerns to social and religious norms have considerably curtailed this constitutional right. The study investigates how political unrest religious beliefs and state surveillance contribute to a culture of self-censorship through a qualitative analysis of academic literature, legal documents, news articles and interviews with journalists and legal experts. This study highlights the growing discrepancy between the legal and constitutional rights and the actual experiences of people in Pakistan who are attempting to exercise their right to freedom of speech.