Pakistan

• The Pakistani state has convicted and imprisoned Mahrang Baloch, a prominent and influential activist leading protests in Balochistan. • This move follows a pattern of political suppression, where leaders like Sardar Akhtar Mengal and Dr Abdul Malik Baloch have withdrawn from mainstream politics due to election rigging. • The conviction is viewed as a "pyrrhic victory" because it reinforces the belief among the Baloch people that peaceful political dissent and protest are no longer possible.

• The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on Pakistan to lift a 15-day suspension of Geo News' broadcast license imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). • The CPJ describes the regulatory action as a dangerous escalation of official interference and a threat to independent media operations within the country. • This move matters as it signals increasing pressure on journalists and news organizations attempting to report freely under current government oversight.

• Pakistan's democratic system continues to struggle under the influence of military rule and judicial intervention, a pattern persisting since its independence in 1947. • The current political climate is highlighted by the prolonged incarceration of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, signaling a deepening crisis for civilian leadership. • This instability matters as it reflects a systemic weakness where elected governments are frequently undermined by non-civilian power structures.