‘Shrinking spaces for civil society cause brain drain’

Islamabad : Civil society representatives and concerned citizens at the Devcom-Pakistan Open Public Forum underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address the shrinking spaces for civil society in Pakistan. 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 has 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 here 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.

The CSOs need to change the sector’s perception as well as need to harness public-private partnerships. They can better navigate regulatory constraints, overcome digital barriers, and continue to drive positive societal change.

Devcom-Pakistan Executive Director Munir Ahmed highlighted the importance of building local partnerships and mobilizing community volunteers to support CSO activities and advocacy efforts. We need to rationalize our freedom of expression that most of the time crosses the redlines because of vested and political interests, and camouflaged narratives.

He also suggested comprehensive training for CSO staff and volunteers on navigating regulatory environments and enhancing digital security was emphasized. Building skills in advocacy and legal literacy was also considered vital. Transparency and merit could change the negative perception of civil society organizations.

PAKAID chief executive suggested to change the work behaviour and patterns to seek partnerships and funding. Most of the funding is available with the government projects that shall engage the nongovernmental sector to reach out the communities. He recommended diversifying funding sources and strengthening organizational management practices to enhance adaptability and efficiency in the face of regulatory and operational challenges.