Pakistan’s internet freedom has dropped sharply over the past 15 years, according to a new report by Freedom House. The global watchdog ranked Pakistan 27 out of 100 and labeled it “Not Free.” The report said the government expanded censorship and threatened to block VPNs. It also noted new cybercrime amendments that rights groups believe could silence online speech.
The report compared Pakistan with other South Asian countries and found a clear difference. India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh earned “Partly Free” status with much higher scores. Meanwhile, China, Iran, and Russia remained among the world’s worst performers. The watchdog added that Pakistan experienced one of the steepest declines since 2011. It said the government tightened control as political challenges increased.
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Researchers also highlighted frequent internet disruptions during the coverage period. Users faced slow connections and outages on WhatsApp, Signal, and other platforms. Experts linked these disruptions to new website monitoring systems. The report noted shutdowns during protests in Islamabad in support of Imran Khan. It added that authorities also reacted strongly during military tensions with India.
Another major concern involved VPN restrictions and cybercrime laws. The report said Pakistan unblocked X in May but kept pressuring VPN services to register. Authorities demanded user data, but later stopped short of blocking unregistered VPNs. The cybercrime law passed in January carried vague language. Rights groups warned it could allow authorities to remove critical content. The report also mentioned blasphemy convictions that led to death sentences based on online posts.
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Globally, internet freedom continued to decline, with Kenya showing the worst drop. However, Pakistan’s case stood out because of its long-term downward trend. The watchdog warned that state influence over elections, media, and civil liberties remained strong. It concluded that Pakistan’s internet freedom continues to weaken as authorities expand control over online spaces.