ARTICLE 19 has joined local and international civil society organisations in urging Pakistan’s authorities to end the escalating restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, including press freedom, access to information, and human rights advocacy. The UN Human Rights Committee has affirmed that a free and unhindered press must be able to report on public affairs without censorship or restraint. The law must not be used to criminalise journalism, legal advocacy, political criticism or human rights reporting. Blanket shutdowns obstruct journalism, access to essential services, and the documentation of human rights violations. Pakistan’s authorities must protect people, including journalists, lawyers, and human rights defenders, rather than punish them simply for their work.