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Tuesday, March 17, 2026
TopicHuman rights activists

Topic: Human rights activists

Pakistan court’s 17-yr jail term to human rights lawyers over social media posts sparks global backlash

EU spokesperson condemned the conviction of Imaan Zainab Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha, saying convictions over social media violate free expression and lawyers’ independence.

Pakistan doesn’t want Norwegian diplomat to attend Imaan Mazari’s trial. It’s ‘unwarranted’

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday summoned the Norwegian ambassador Per Albert Ilsaas, urging him to “respect established diplomatic norms.”

Pakistani activist couple indicted for criticising the military. Citizens hit the streets

The case is based on an FIR report filed by the NCIA in August 2025, based on their tweets that were critical of human rights violations committed by the Pakistan military.

Don’t delay J&K polls, announce timeline for restoration of statehood — human rights panel report

Report is drafted by human rights forum in Jammu & Kashmir comprising informal group of citizens. It also flags concerns over armed attacks in the region, abuse of civil rights & drug use.

‘Mostly totalitarian’ — South Asian activists red-flag ‘floundering democracy’ in region

Virtual event by South Asia Peace Action Network calls on governments in the region to ensure establishment and strengthening of national human rights institutions.

Another viral video shows Pakistani elite culture’s problems with restaurant staff

Pakistan’s elite have made the headlines yet again after a 'human rights activist' lashed out at the chef of a Karachi-based restaurant.

Gulalai Ismail, Pashtun activist in exile whose father is now held for ‘terrorism’ in Pakistan

Gulalai Ismail is the founder of NGO 'Aware Girls' that aims to 'empower young women'. She is also a member of rights group Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement.

Threatened with ‘Christmas gift’, Karima Baloch’s death leaves more questions than answers

Living in exile doesn’t mean a peaceful life for Pakistan's human rights activists. And mysterious deaths like Karima Baloch’s only add to the distress.

India using vaguely defined laws to stifle voices of activists, says UN human rights chief

UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet Bachelet urges Modi government to review the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and to release people charged under UAPA.

When freedoms are under assault, Aakar Patel won’t look away and ask ‘what’s for lunch?’

What’s going on with Aakar Patel appears to be a frequent question among India’s commentariat. Has he just been reduced to a Modi-Shah baiter today?

On Camera

Free gas to waivers, govt-owned gas firms roll out incentives to push households from LPG to PNG

IGL, MGL & other city gas distributors announce benefits to encourage LPG users to shift to piped natural gas as Centre flags concerns over LPG supply in the wake of Iran conflict.

Supreme Leader Mojtaba, the man Iran must keep alive & the secret force ‘tasked with it’—all about NOPO

The Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat, or NOPO, was the only force Ali Khamenei trusted.It was founded in 1991 and is more feared than the Revolutionary Guards.

Peaceful power transfers followed uprisings in India’s neighbourhood. It’s a sign of mature democracies

Rating democracies is a tricky business. I am only using the simple metric of who in the Indian subcontinent has had the most peaceful, stable, normal political transitions and continuity.