Mishal Pakistan releases State of Freedom Report 2026

Mishal Pakistan has released its first State of Freedom Report 2026, compiled as a World Economic Forum country partner institute study, comparing constitutional and legal

ISLAMABAD: Mishal Pakistan has released its first State of Freedom Report 2026, compiled as a World Economic Forum country partner institute study, comparing constitutional and legal freedoms with citizens’ lived experiences.

The report is based on a nationwide survey of 2,000 respondents, including 67% graduates, 32% master’s degree holders, and 1% PhD-level participants.

It states that Pakistan’s population has exceeded 245 million, with 64% under the age of 30. The country now has over 195 million mobile connections, 145 million broadband users, and a fiber network spanning more than 230,000 kilometers.

According to the report, Pakistan’s IT and freelance exports have crossed $3 billion, while more than 120 TV channels and hundreds of FM radio stations are operating across the country.

The report highlights a major shift toward digital platforms for information access, noting that citizens increasingly view digital connectivity as a key driver of economic progress.

It shows that 24% of users rely on Facebook, 19.9% on WhatsApp, 18% on websites, and 15% on X (Twitter) for information. However, 55% of respondents expressed concerns over access to unbiased digital information.

The report also warns that while digital platforms have expanded access, they are also contributing to misinformation, social division, and harassment.

It notes that branchless banking users in Pakistan have reached 110 to 120 million, while 77% of citizens feel free in choosing their profession and 75% support freedom of business activity.

Around 75% of respondents expressed satisfaction with opportunities for women’s advancement, while Pakistan’s labour force exceeds 70 million people.

On religious freedom, 65% of respondents expressed satisfaction with protection of religious rights. The report also highlights the presence of approximately 600,000 mosques, 36,000 seminaries, 2,000 churches, and several temples and gurdwaras in the country.

It states that Pakistan has 12.85 million registered voters, with 92,353 polling stations and around 1.4 million election staff deployed in the 2024 elections.

The report notes that women hold 60 reserved seats in the National Assembly, while female participation in the federal cabinet ranges between 9% and 10%, and labour force participation between 20% and 25%. Minorities are allocated 10 reserved seats in the National Assembly.

On governance, the report says over 59,000 cases are pending in the Supreme Court, more than 450,000 in high courts, and over 1.74 million in district courts.

It adds that Pakistan’s prisons house over 102,000 inmates, with occupancy rates reaching 166% in Punjab and 161% in Sindh, indicating severe overcrowding.

The report also records 344 blasphemy-related allegations in 2024, with 62% reported in Punjab and 30% in Sindh. Of these, 243 cases involved Muslims and 101 involved non-Muslims.

About 58% of citizens expressed concerns about financial security, while only 35% believe the country is moving in a positive direction.

In education, primary school enrollment stands at 69%, while higher education enrollment is around 13%.

Around 62% of citizens feel they have limited influence on government decisions, and 45% believe gender, religious, and ethnic equality is improving.

The report identifies personal freedom as closely linked to economic opportunity, justice, security, governance, and digital inclusion.