Pakistan marked a significant milestone in governance research and public policy with the launch of the country’s first-ever State of Freedom Report – Pakistan 2026, a comprehensive national assessment examining political, civil, economic, digital, legal and social freedoms.
Developed by Mishal Pakistan, the Country Partner Institute of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Pakistan, the report established the country’s first evidence-based national benchmark for measuring freedom, public trust, institutional performance, citizen empowerment and governance outcomes, said a press release.
The report was launched at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) in collaboration with the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC). The event brought together senior government officials, parliamentarians, members of the diplomatic corps, academics, media professionals, civil society representatives and policy experts. Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, attended as Chief Guest.
Opening the event, Dr. Talat Shabbir, Director of the China-Pakistan Study Centre (CPSC), ISSI, highlighted the importance of evidence-based research in informing public policy and strengthening national dialogue on governance, rights, and citizen empowerment. Welcoming participants, Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors, ISSI, emphasized the importance of informed policy discourse and noted that understanding citizens’ perceptions is essential for strengthening institutions and improving governance outcomes.
The State of Freedom Report – Pakistan 2026 is Pakistan’s first comprehensive national effort to evaluate freedom across six key dimensions: Political Freedom, Civil Liberties, Rule of Law and Access to Justice, Economic Freedom, Digital Freedom and Access to Information, and Social Inclusion, Gender and Public Trust. The report combined constitutional and legal analysis, institutional indicators, international benchmarking, expert consultations, and findings from a nationwide National Freedom Perception and TRUST Survey covering approximately 2,000 respondents across Pakistan.
Key Findings of the report presented a nuanced picture of Pakistan’s evolving freedom landscape, highlighting both institutional progress and areas requiring continued policy attention.
Among the report’s major findings are 77 percent of respondents believe citizens are free to choose their profession and occupation. 75 percent believed businesses can operate without undue government interference. 75 percent expressed positive perceptions regarding women’s opportunities and empowerment. 65 percent report positive perceptions regarding freedom of religion and religious protections. 69 percent believed long-term national planning should extend beyond five years. 62 percent feel ordinary citizens have limited influence over government decision-making. 58 expressed concerns regarding their financial security and economic well-being. 55 percent expressed concerns about access to impartial and unbiased information.
The report highlights Pakistan’s growing digital transformation, noting that the country now has more than 190 million cellular subscriptions, between 140-150 million broadband users, and approximately 70 million active social media users. Pakistan’s IT and freelance exports now exceed US$3 billion annually, creating new opportunities for economic participation and digital empowerment.
Survey findings show that digital platforms have become the primary source of information for many Pakistanis. 24.8 percent of respondents identified Facebook as their primary source of information, followed by 19.9 percent relying on WhatsApp, 18 percent on websites and online news portals, and 15 percent each on X (formerly Twitter) and television.
The report also highlights the growing importance of digital governance. During the reporting period, Pakistan submitted more than 15,391 content and account-related requests to major global digital platforms concerning cybersecurity, hate speech, misinformation, extremist content, impersonation and unlawful online activity. Public transparency reports indicate that approximately 45.8 percent of these requests resulted in platform actions, including content restrictions, removals, or account-related enforcement measures.
The report notes that Pakistan possesses one of the region’s most vibrant media and information ecosystems, with more than 120 licensed television channels, hundreds of newspapers and publications, and an increasingly influential digital media sector.
On social inclusion and gender, the report notes that women currently account for approximately 20-25 percent of the labour force, compared to 65-68 percent labour force participation among men. Despite these disparities, survey findings indicate strong public support for expanding opportunities and participation for women, youth and marginalized communities.
The report also highlights institutional challenges in the justice sector. Pakistan’s courts currently face more than 2.2 million pending cases, while prisons house more than 102,000 inmates, underscoring the importance of continued reforms aimed at improving access to justice, reducing procedural delays, and strengthening public confidence in legal institutions.
The report identifies several emerging issues that are likely to shape Pakistan’s future freedom landscape, including climate change, water scarcity, cybersecurity threats, misinformation and disinformation, rapid urbanization, youth unemployment, and economic inequality.