Karachi: Rwadari Tehreek -Pakistan organized a Democracy Summit on June 4, 2026 at Karachi to reflect on reconnecting and re-imagine collective actions to explore ways to strengthen democratic values, frameworks, and protect fundamental rights. The Summit brought together democracy advocates, civil society representatives, academia, youth leaders, journalists, and human rights defenders to tackle the country's pressing democratic challenges.  By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the summit provided a platform to discuss critical issues, such as electoral reforms, political inclusion, institutional strengthening, and youth engagement.    

Ms. Aqsa Zainab Advocate and TV Anchor Laila Nisar were the moderators of the Summit while Mr. Samson Salamat, Chairman Rwadari Tehreek delivered the inaugural speech at the Democracy Summit.  Pakistan’s renowned scholar Jami Chandio (Writer & Co-founder Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan) was the keynote speaker who spoke about the decline of democracy in Pakistan, challenges to Democratic Framework and the Question of Fundamental Rights & freedoms. 

In the Panel Discussion to discuss the Role  of Civil Society, including CSOs, Media and Bar Associations for protecting Human Rights in Shrinking space for democracy and rights the panlists included Mr. Iqbal Ahmed Detho (Human Rights Expert & Former Chairperson Sindh Human Rights Commission), Mr. Azam Miraj (Scholar, Writer & founder Tehreek-e-Shnakhat), Ms. Nazish Birohi (Writer and Researcher), and Ms. Shazia Nizamani (Social Activist, Advocate, Columnist & Chairperson of the Sindh Women Lawyers Alliance). 

The Plenary Session to discuss the role of government, political parties for reclaiming democratic space and protecting fundamental rights, the Chief Guest was Mian Raza Rabbani, the former Chairman Senate while the speakers included  Mr. Mifath Ismail (former finance Minister), Dr. Safdar Abbasi (General Secretary Grand Democratic Alliance), Mr. Haseeb Jamali (Advocate Supreme Court & President Sindh High Court Bar Association) and Mr. Riaz Ali Chandio (Chairman Jeay Sindh Mahaz).    

The participants of the Democracy Summit "United for Democracy: Reclaiming Democratic Spaces & Protecting Rights reiterated their commitment to reclaiming their democratic spaces, protecting civic freedoms, defending right to expression, assembly,  resisting repression and exclusion and standing against authoritarianism, discrimination, and the policy of silencing the dissent voices. 

Mr. Deedar Ahmed Mirani, the Vice Chairman of Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan, presented the “Karachi Declaration” on behalf of the Speakers and Participants which was issued at the end of Democracy Summit with following recommendations for the advancement of democracy and protection of human rights in Pakistan: 

The Summit recommended to initiate a comprehensive Political Dialogue, recognizing that Pakistan's severe political, economic, and security challenges necessitate a unified approach. This dialogue should be aimed to establish a calm and peaceful political environment, de-escalate tensions and confrontation, and address security challenges through a whole-of-nation approach, fostering a stable and inclusive landscape for sustainable development. 

The participants of the Summit called upon the state institutions to adhere to their constitutional roles and refrain from authoritarian overreach, while political parties and stakeholders should prioritize making the system more inclusive and people-centric. This can be achieved by boosting civic participation, ensuring rule of law, promoting transparency, and combating corruption. The focus should be on creating a responsive and resilient political system that serves the people, not just a privileged few. 

Pakistan’s electoral system is quite comprehensive and provides adequate transparency and protections against electoral fraud, except when state institutions themselves lose neutrality and adopt a partisan approach, and therefore, the participants of the Summit recommended that all the stake-holders should sit together for a reformed agenda to ensure that the elections are held with utmost transparency. 

Pakistan's complex ethnic, linguistic, and regional landscape necessitates a governance model that strikes a balance between central authority and provincial autonomy. History suggests that in a federation like Pakistan, national cohesion is strengthened when provinces have control over their affairs.  The participants recommended that granting autonomy to provinces should be viewed as a necessity, rather than a threat, to ensure long-term stability, economic growth, and national integrity. By empowering provinces, Pakistan can foster a more inclusive and responsive governance structure, ultimately contributing to the country's overall progress and unity. 

The participants of the Summit urged that the people should pursue democratic values & principles including freedom of expression & respect of difference of opinion, follow the approach of rationalization rather than blind faith on their leaders, understand politics as a way of dialogue rather than a mean of enmity, refrain from following & spreading information without verification especially through social media and should never opt for violence in their social and political struggle. 

The Summit also urged that the leadership of all the political parties should avoid fiery & instigative speeches, and use of abusive language to refrain from further political tensions which may lead to sever political violence. Based on the reality that the recent wave of political intolerance has seeped into all segments of the society, therefore the people should also act as responsible citizens. The participants demanded the immediate removal of all bans and restrictions on freedom of expression, association, and assembly. These restrictions, often justified as necessary for national security or public order, have been used to suppress dissent and silence critics. We urge authorities to respect and protect these fundamental rights, essential for a healthy democracy and citizen well-being. 

The Summit recommended, the extremist outfits and individuals spreading hate and violence against minorities in the pretext of blasphemy laws should be banned and prosecuted. We suggest a "Grand Dialogue" in parliament to address the misuse of these laws and discuss ways to prevent fake allegations, mob violence, and attacks on minorities. The repeated rejection of pro-minority legislation has left these communities feeling deeply saddened and disappointed, as their voices are seemingly ignored. It's time for the government to listen and act, enacting laws that protect vulnerable minorities from forced conversions, misuse of blasphemy laws, mob violence and safeguard their rights. Furthermore asked to revisit the system of representation of religious minorities in the form of proportional representation in the national and provincial assemblies which have proved to be counter productive, denying minorities to elect their own representatives which has unfortunately been further devolved in Punjab’s local government system.