PTI Supporters and the Post-2023 Crackdown
Pakistan's political landscape has been particularly turbulent since 2022 to 2023, with PTI (Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf) supporters facing targeted persecution by state and military intelligence agencies following the events of 2023 to 2024. Expert reports assess the individual's political profile, visibility, and UK-based activities against current enforcement patterns.
Reports distinguish between high-profile and low-profile political involvement. PTI supporters with visible UK-based activities, including demonstrations, social media activity, and financial contributions, may face heightened risk on return.
Journalists and Human Rights Defenders
Journalists and human rights defenders in Pakistan face restrictions on press freedom, harassment, detention, and in some cases enforced disappearance. Expert witnesses assess the appellant's published work, affiliations, prior incidents, and whether their profile would attract authority attention on return.
Reports cite current country evidence on media freedom indices, documented cases of journalist persecution, and the practical availability of state protection for those who have criticised the military or government.
Enforced Disappearances and Baloch Nationalists
Enforced disappearances remain a serious concern in Pakistan, particularly affecting Baloch nationalists, activists, and political opponents in Balochistan and other regions. Expert reports address geographic variation in risk and the specific threat profile in Balochistan including Quetta and surrounding areas.
Reports should address whether the appellant's ethnic, political, or activist profile creates risk beyond the general population, and whether state protection is realistically available given documented patterns of military intelligence involvement.
Current Conditions 2025 to 2026
Expert reports on political persecution must reflect current conditions in 2025 to 2026, not outdated pre-2023 analysis. The political environment continues to evolve, and fresh claim and appeal cases require updated country evidence addressing the current crackdown context.
Reports should follow Immigration Tribunal Practice Direction paragraph 10, comply with the Adam Pipe October 2025 guide, and provide profile-specific conclusions on risk on return, state protection, and internal relocation for the individual appellant.