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New Research Report: Exploring the Grounds of Digital Violence Against Women in Pakistan.

Islamabad, December 10, 2025: A new research report by Bytes For All (B4A), Pakistan, titled “Exploring the Grounds of Digital Violence Against Women in Pakistan,” presents hard evidence on how women’s safety and freedom of expression are seriously threatened by the confluence of digital violence directed at women. The instances of TikToker Imsha Rehman, Shia ordinary women activists, activists Dr. Sabiha Baloch, and Sindhoo Nawaz Ghanghro demonstrate the targeted online harassment campaigns that not only silence women but also aid in the dissemination of extremist ideas and dangerous speech online. These incidents show how internet platforms are used as weapons to vilify, threaten, and encourage violence against women, especially those from underrepresented groups.

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August 29, 2025 - With deep conviction, the Asian Civil Societies stands in steadfast solidarity with the Palestinian people. We urgently call for a united global response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza and the occupied West Bank marked by widespread civilian deaths, mass displacement, and systematic violations of international law. The international community must act decisively to hold Israel accountable for these grave and systematic violations of international law and human rights.

Since October 2023, over 60,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, have been massacred in Gaza, with tens of thousands more injured. More than two million people have been displaced, enduring famine, blocked humanitarian aid, and the destruction of homes, schools, and hospitals. The West Bank has also seen escalating violence, including home demolitions, land confiscations...

KATHMANDU, Nepal (10 July 2025) – The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Bytes for All, Pakistan condemn the Islamabad District Magistrate’s order, issued on 24 June 2025, to block 27 YouTube channels for allegedly disseminating “anti-state content” and “spreading false, misleading, and fake information.” The targeted channels, run by journalists, political commentators, and opposition voices, including those in exile, are the latest targets in Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on dissent.

“The censorship of journalists and political voices under the pretext of national security is a dangerous precedent,” said Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Executive Director of FORUM-ASIA. “This is not a lawful regulation; it is repression disguised as cybersecurity. That global platforms, like...

Islamabad, June 12, 2025 – Bytes for All, Pakistan expresses deep concern over the growing use of AI-generated deepfake videos purpetdly generated by supporters of different political parties using anonymous online accounts to manipulate public perception, incite anti-state sentiment, and undermine national security institutions.

Recent investigations and an OSINT-based analysis conducted by Bytes for All reveal a troubling pattern of synthetic media being disseminated across social media platforms. These videos falsely depict political leaders and senior military officials—such as the Chief of Army Staff and Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed—engaged in fabricated misconduct, including ballot manipulation...

As AI steps into the frontline of fact-checking, its limitations are being tested in real time. During wars, elections, and national crises, disinformation spreads rapidly—often overwhelming even the most advanced AI systems. These high-pressure moments expose how easily large language models can be manipulated by poisoned data, partisan narratives, and coordinated falsehoods.

The report reveals critical failures in AI’s ability to distinguish truth from deception when digital ecosystems are saturated with misinformation. It explores how real-time search, biased data sources, and lack of contextual awareness allow false narratives to flourish under the guise of algorithmic authority.

With public trust in both media and technology at stake, this report underscores the urgent need for transparency, ethical AI development, and human oversight. When truth becomes a...

Pakistan's digital landscape is facing increasing restrictions, marked by a disturbing trend of government-led disinformation and shifting narratives. Recent VPN crackdowns, social media blackouts, and a lack of transparency have fueled concerns about suppressed digital freedoms. Contradictory official statements and downplaying of censorship efforts further erode public trust. Digital rights advocates, courts, and international organizations are scrutinizing these actions.

The lack of open dialogue and consistent messaging from government officials creates an environment of uncertainty and distrust. This manipulation of information undermines the public's ability to access reliable news and participate in informed discussions online.

Read our report: The Illusion...

Islamabad, January 29, 2024: The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) and Bytes For All, Pakistan are deeply concerned by the passage of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Bill (PECA) , 2025, and the Digital Nation Pakistan Bill, 2024 by Pakistan’s National Assembly and Senate.

Journalist bodies across Pakistan had been protesting the PECA amendments after the Senate Standing Committee on Interior hastily approved the bill in just 15 minutes on 27 January 2025. Despite widespread opposition, their concerns were blatantly ignored as the government moved forward with the passage of these laws without meaningful consultation.

Internet governance in Pakistan continues to lack transparency and accountability, reflecting a persistent...