Civil society representatives and concerned citizens have underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the shrinking spaces for civil society in Pakistan.
They were expressing their views at the Devcom-Pakistan Open Public Forum. The participants emphasized the need for enhanced collective advocacy to reform restrictive regulations impacting civil society.
Building alliances with business groups, academics, and international organizations was highlighted as crucial for advancing policy changes that support greater freedom for CSOs.
They said the social development sector had shrunk to the historic low because of undue regulatory frameworks, and lack of donors’ trust in the nongovernmental sector.
Instead of engaging civil society to counter anti-state propaganda and to support development, many restrictions were imposed on them. The forum underscored the importance of working with legal experts to challenge and seek reforms for laws that severely restrict CSO activities, such as those related to registration, foreign funding, and operational constraints. The forum encouraged engaging with international organizations and networks to gain support and advocacy for a more favorable environment for CSOs. Participating in global dialogues and forums was also suggested to share experiences and influence international policy.
Devcom-Pakistan, a leading development organization, hosted the Open Public Forum on Saturday to address the pressing issue of shrinking spaces for civil society in Pakistan. The forum brought together key stakeholders, including civil society organizations (CSOs), policymakers, digital experts, and community leaders, to discuss the challenges faced by CSOs and propose actionable recommendations for fostering a more enabling environment.
The guest speakers included Human Resource Development Network Executive Director Robeela Bangash, PakAID chief Executive Haseeb Kiyani, Kinnaird College associate professor Dr. Khushboo Ejaz, Bahria University faculty member Dr. Hayyam Qayyum, Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed, and ECI executive Director Azhar Qureshi.
HRDN Executive Director Robeela Bangash said undue regulatory frameworks, political instability, inconsistency of policies, and the negative perception about the nongovernmental sector marred the spaces, and undervalue their work in the development of communities.
