Digital Diaries of Resistance: The Consequences of Social Media Documentation in Pakistan
By: Ameera Hamadeh
Edited by: Valerie Lane and Jerry Benedict
On January 2, a court in Islamabad, Pakistan sentenced seven individuals to life in prison for their participation in 2023 anti-government demonstrations. [1] Among these individuals were three journalists, two Youtubers, and two retired army officers. [2] According to the court, they were convicted on the grounds of contributions to the “violent unrest” that emerged throughout the nation in the aftermath of political turmoil in Pakistan three years ago. [3]
In April 2022, Prime Minister Imran Khan received a vote of no-confidence from his assembly, removing him from the highest elected office in the nation. He was put on trial to be investigated on several counts of corruption, specifically the retaining and selling of state gifts at prices far below their worth. [4] These trials concluded in his conviction and arrest in May 2023, sparking the civilian protests that are now experiencing legal repercussions. [5] Disruptive demonstrations filled the streets after the former prime minister’s arrest; heavy destruction of infrastructure was reported from the events. Khan’s supporters reportedly “attack[ed] military facilities and government property” to display their opposition towards the current administration. [6] Their efforts were eventually dismantled in the form of mass arrest from law enforcement belonging to the Pakistan Muslim League, the government body now in power. [7] The journalists reporting on these demonstrations captured not only a sense of unrest within Pakistan’s capital, but also brutality used by law enforcement to end the protests.
The reports and footage stemming from journalists and YouTubers during these transitionary demonstrations reflected poorly on the legitimacy of Pakistani elected officials. In the aftermath of these demonstrations came an intense crackdown on political activism in Pakistan. Authorities began to pass laws that restricted freedom of speech through limitations on public assembly and access to digital communication. In 2024, the government passed both the Peaceful Assembly and Public Order Act and Punjab Defamation Act. [8] The former gave government officials broad power to ban assembly in Islamabad without any legal consultation. [9] The latter approved specific trials for individuals who have been accused of drafting, publishing, or spreading fake news according to government discretion. [10]
It is clear that those recently sentenced to life are being punished for criticizing the incumbent party. Journalists and YouTubers both maintain an international platform that can expose corruption and injustice within the walls of Pakistani Parliament. This platform not only unveils the prominent impact protests have had on daily life in Pakistan, but also reflects poorly on the legitimacy of the current government’s authority. The officers convicted for protesting also threatened the legitimacy of the government; these figures are typically seen as strategic actors of the state who demonstrate obedience to the interests of the nation. Their participation in protest serves as a threat to governmental legitimacy, as even loyal citizens have lost trust in governmental leadership. All seven protesters currently reside in countries outside of Pakistan to avoid the sentences they face. [11] However, this safety is not guaranteed, stable, or permanent; the court has directed police to arrest and transfer these figures to prison upon their potential return to the nation. [12]
Human rights advocates find that freedom of speech is shrinking rapidly in Pakistan; social media and news outlets have faced immense barriers to free operation within the past three years. [13] These sites are now less accessible for the average citizen. Parliament today, under the authority of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, denies any claims of infringement on basic human rights. In response to criticism of the court’s activity, the government argues that YouTubers and journalists are not above the law, and that they too must “adhere to basic ethics and journalistic principles.” [14] However, as recent restrictions on internet service and social media have shown, these basic principles of journalism too have been undermined by the government's actions. [15]
Notes:
Munir Ahmed, “Pakistan Sentences Journalists, YouTubers and Ex-Military Officers to Life over Inciting Violence,” AP News, January 2, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-riots-trial-journalists-youtubers-military-officers-dd97d50c8db007acf0132d53aecfde6a.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ahmed, Munir. “Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan and Wife Sentenced to 17 Years in Graft Case,” PBS, 20 Dec. 2025, www.pbs.org/newshour/world/former-pakistani-prime-minister-imran-khan-and-wife-sentenced-to-17-years-in-graft-case.
Marco Corsi, “Pakistan 2023: Multiple Crises in the Lead-up to the General Elections,” Asia Maior, July 3, 2024, https://www.asiamaior.org/the-journal/18-asia-maior-vol-xxxiv-2023/pakistan-2023-multiple-crises-in-the-lead-up-to-the-general-elections.html.
News Agencies, “Pakistan Court Sentences Journalists to Life over 2023 Pro-Khan Protests,” Al Jazeera, January 2, 2026, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/2/pakistan-court-sentences-journalists-to-life-over-2023-pro-khan-protests.
Marco Corsi, “Pakistan 2023: Multiple Crises in the Lead-up to the General Elections,” Asia Maior, July 3, 2024, https://www.asiamaior.org/the-journal/18-asia-maior-vol-xxxiv-2023/pakistan-2023-multiple-crises-in-the-lead-up-to-the-general-elections.html.
Amnesty International, “Pakistan 2020 Archives,” Amnesty International, 2023, https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/pakistan/report-pakistan/.
Ibid.
Lukas Jumpelt, “Punjab, Pakistan Defamation Act Passed amid Free Speech Controversy,” Jurist, May 21, 2024, https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/05/punjab-pakistan-defamation-act-passed-amid-free-speech-controversy/.
Munir Ahmed, “Pakistan Sentences Journalists, YouTubers and Ex-Military Officers to Life over Inciting Violence,” AP News, January 2, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-riots-trial-journalists-youtubers-military-officers-dd97d50c8db007acf0132d53aecfde6a.
News Agencies, “Pakistan Court Sentences Journalists to Life over 2023 Pro-Khan Protests,” Al Jazeera, January 2, 2026, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/2/pakistan-court-sentences-journalists-to-life-over-2023-pro-khan-protests.
Munir Ahmed, “Pakistan Sentences Journalists, YouTubers and Ex-Military Officers to Life over Inciting Violence,” AP News, January 2, 2026, https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-riots-trial-journalists-youtubers-military-officers-dd97d50c8db007acf0132d53aecfde6a.
Ibid.
“Pakistan: Excessive Force against Violent Khan Protests,” Human Rights Watch, May 11, 2023, https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/11/pakistan-excessive-force-against-violent-khan-protests.
Bibliography:
Ahmed, Munir. “Pakistan Sentences Journalists, YouTubers and Ex-Military Officers to Life over Inciting Violence.” AP News, January 2, 2026. https://apnews.com/article/pakistan-riots-trial-journalists-youtubers-military-officers-dd97d50c8db007acf0132d53aecfde6a.
Amnesty International. “Pakistan 2020 Archives.” Amnesty International, 2023. https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/asia-and-the-pacific/south-asia/pakistan/report-pakistan/.
Corsi, Marco. “Pakistan 2023: Multiple Crises in the Lead-up to the General Elections.” Asia Maior, July 3, 2024. https://www.asiamaior.org/the-journal/18-asia-maior-vol-xxxiv-2023/pakistan-2023-multiple-crises-in-the-lead-up-to-the-general-elections.html.
Jumpelt, Lukas. “Punjab, Pakistan Defamation Act Passed amid Free Speech Controversy.” Jurist, May 21, 2024. https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/05/punjab-pakistan-defamation-act-passed-amid-free-speech-controversy/.
News Agencies. “Pakistan Court Sentences Journalists to Life over 2023 Pro-Khan Protests.” Al Jazeera, January 2, 2026. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/2/pakistan-court-sentences-journalists-to-life-over-2023-pro-khan-protests.
“Pakistan: Excessive Force against Violent Khan Protests.” Human Rights Watch. May 11, 2023. https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/11/pakistan-excessive-force-against-violent-khan-protests.