Resisting Authoritarianism: Civil Society, Development, and Rights in Pakistan

Event series International Talks

The International Talks always take place during the semester. Always online. Always discussion format. Always socially relevant, international topics. The format includes an impulse with discussion, in which the participants can take part via chat. The talks get a special dynamic through the moderation of different experts. The International Talks are open to all students, colleagues and interested persons, especially including international students.

Resisting Authoritarianism: Civil Society, Development, and Rights in Pakistan
Thursday, 23th of October 2025, 6 pm

Pakistan, the world’s fifth-most populous country, is undergoing significant democratic regression amid acute economic vulnerability and institutional fragility. According to the United Nations Development Programme, Pakistan ranks 164 out of 191 on the Human Development Index (HDI), and 118 out of 167 on the Democracy Index, reflecting a deep erosion of democracy marked by restricted electoral competition, low political participation, weak civil liberties, and sustained military influence. Simultaneously, the Reporters Without Borders for Press Freedom Index places it at 158 out of 180, underscoring the deterioration of civic space and media autonomy. These indicators collectively underscore entrenched military dominance, widespread suppression of dissent, growing media censorship, and the strategic use of legislation to curtail civil society. While the state permits specific development and humanitarian initiatives, advocacy on issues such as land rights, environmental justice, water access, and food sovereignty is frequently met with surveillance, legal harassment, and coercive force. This international talk will critically examine the structural causes, institutional mechanisms, and socio-political consequences of authoritarian consolidation in Pakistan, situating it within the broader struggles of the Global South for democratic space and rights-based development. Join us in examining how authoritarianism reshapes development and what transformative alternatives remain possible.

Speaker

Mr. Abdul Waheed is a dedicated human rights advocate and an active member of various civil society groups in Pakistan. With over 15 years of experience, his work focuses on environmental justice and the rights to land, water, and food. Mr. Waheed holds two master’s degrees: one in Sociology from Pakistan and a second interdisciplinary degree from Heidelberg University, Germany, with a focus on Geography, Development Economics, and Political Science, with a special emphasis on the Global South. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Humboldt University of Berlin. His research examines policy frameworks to understand the causal relationships between policy paradigms and their ecological and social impacts in deltaic regions, with a particular focus on the Indus Delta (Pakistan). Beyond academia, Mr. Waheed actively contributes opinion pieces to newspapers, shedding light on pressing social and environmental challenges.

Participation

All Talks will be realized as videoconference.

Certificats

Available on request

Zoom-Link