Freedom of Expression is a cornerstone of democratic governance, human rights protection, and inclusive societies. It is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan, and CFHR is committed to advancing its protection, promotion, and meaningful realization for all individuals.
In today’s increasingly digital world, the exercise of expression — whether through speech, media, or public discourse — has expanded and transformed. Expression now occurs more frequently in digital spaces, where it interacts with, and at times conflicts with, issues such as online harm, platform governance, and information control. Recognizing this shift, CFHR brings its expertise to the protection of freedom of expression in digital environments. Our work is grounded in the understanding that expression is shaped not only by constitutional and legal protections, but also by evolving digital ecosystems, information integrity challenges, and unequal access to platforms.
We adopt a multidisciplinary approach that situates freedom of expression within the broader domains of access to information, digital rights, disinformation, and plurality. This ensures that legal frameworks and public discourse remain rights-based, inclusive, and resilient in the face of emerging challenges.
[#digital-rights]Digital Rights, Expression & Information Integrity[#digital-rights]
Evidence-Based Research on Digital Expression & Online Harm
CFHR produces empirical research to understand how freedom of expression is experienced in digital spaces, particularly among young people and vulnerable groups. The Youth Online: Digital Safety & Exposure to Online Violence is a diagnostic study on youth digital safety in Pakistan providing one of the most comprehensive snapshots of how young people experience online environments. The study surveyed youth across four core areas: (1) Digital usage patterns and online environments, (2) Awareness and perceptions of online safety, (3) Experiences of digital violence, and (4) Access to reporting mechanisms and support systems. It identified critical gaps in addressing online violence and harassment, Technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) and limited awareness of legal and institutional protections. The study also provides actionable recommendations for policymakers, educators, and platforms to strengthen digital safety frameworks.
Bridging Access, Expression & Inequality in the Digital Space
During the COVID-19 pandemic, CFHR published a key policy paper on: ‘Bridging the Digital Divide: A Right to Internet Access and the Path Towards Sustainability in Education’. This research examines the critical need for internet access as a fundamental right in education, emphasizing the role of legal and policy frameworks in addressing digital inequality. The key highlights of the report include:
- Conducted comparative research on how different countries have entrenched the right to internet access through constitutions, laws, judicial decisions, and public policies.
- Analyzed Pakistan’s legal and policy landscape to assess the feasibility of recognizing internet access as a fundamental right.
- Examined the global human rights framework to determine the extent to which international law recognizes a right to internet access, particularly in education.
- Proposed recommendations to promote sustainable and inclusive digital education policies in Pakistan.
Through this initiative, CFHR continues to push for systemic reforms that ensure all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, can access quality education in an increasingly digital world.
Policy Engagement on Cybercrime
CFHR actively engages in international policy spaces shaping digital rights frameworks. During the signing process of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, CFHR hosted a high-level side event focused on non-consensual intimate image sharing, protection of women and vulnerable groups online and capacity gaps in Global South responses to cybercrime. The event convened international and national experts to assess legal and institutional preparedness, highlight enforcement gaps and promote collaborative, rights-based solutions. This reflects CFHR’s role in contributing to global norms on digital expression, safety, and accountability.
Responsible Artificial Intelligence & Future of Expression
Through the Institute for Responsible Artificial Intelligence & Human Rights, CFHR is expanding its work into: (1) Algorithmic governance and platform accountability, (2) AI and freedom of expression, (3) Ethical deployment of emerging technologies, and (4) Risks of automated moderation and bias.This work situates freedom of expression within the next generation of digital governance challenges.
Human Rights Review Journal
CFHR’s Human Rights Review Journal serves as a platform for advancing critical discourse on contemporary human rights challenges, including freedom of expression and digital rights. Through scholarly articles, legal analyses, and thematic commentaries across the IX Volumes, the Journal brings together academics, practitioners, and students to examine emerging issues. The Journal contributes to strengthening freedom of expression by encouraging evidence-based and rights-oriented scholarship, providing a platform for diverse and underrepresented perspectives, and bridging the gap between academic research and policy engagement.
[#gender]Gender, Cybercrime & Online Safety[#gender]
Cybercrime Against Women and Girls in Pakistan
CFHR is presently drafting a diagnostic report on cybercrime against women and girls in Pakistan, with a particular focus on non-consensual intimate images (NCII) and child sexual abuse materials (CSAM), preliminary findings of which were presented at the UN Convention Against Cybercrime Signing in Hani, Viet Nam in 2025. This work maps legal and policy gaps in Pakistan’s current frameworks, institutional response limitations and technological enforcement challenges.It aims to inform evidence-based reforms addressing cyber-enabled harms that directly impact freedom of expression, privacy, and dignity online.
Public Awareness & Behaviour Change Campaigns
CFHR translates research into public-facing interventions that strengthen digital literacy and responsible expression. ‘Think Before You Click: Cybercrime Awareness Campaign’ was a nationwide digital awareness initiative focused on cybercrime prevention and safe online behaviour. The campaign addressed phishing and online fraud, malware and cybersecurity risks, OTP scams and identity theft and online harassment and reporting mechanisms under PECA 2016. Through interactive content and social media engagement, the campaign promoted responsible digital behaviour, awareness of legal protections, and user empowerment in digital spaces. As of May 2026, the campaign outreached 39,499.
[#media]Media, Law & Democracy[#media]
Ethical Journalism & Reporting Standards
CFHR with support from the Department of International Development (DFID) contributed to strengthening ethical reporting standards in Pakistan through targeted engagements with journalists and media institutions. In collaboration with partners including Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), CFHR supported the development and delivery of training on ethical guidelines for reporting, with a focus on responsible coverage of sensitive issues.
These engagements, conducted at the Judicial Academy Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, brought together media professionals and experts including Umar Khan, Amir Ghauri, and Aftab Alam. The initiative emphasized the role of ethical journalism in safeguarding dignity, preventing harm, and reinforcing responsible freedom of expression within democratic societies.
Media, Law & Capacity Building
CFHR has engaged in capacity-building initiatives with academic institutions, including Peshawar University, to strengthen the intersection of media, law, and human rights. These trainings focus on equipping emerging journalists with an understanding of legal frameworks governing expression, alongside ethical standards for responsible reporting.
Complementing this, CFHR’s collaboration under the American Bar Association —Rule Of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI) program extended these efforts across Punjab in partnership with judicial academies, bar associations, and legal practitioners. The program focused on fair trial reporting, responsible media conduct, and reinforcing the role of journalism in upholding due process. Collectively, these initiatives have trained over 200 individuals, contributing to more informed and rights-sensitive media practices in Pakistan.
