March 29, 2026
DAWN
THE HRCP report Regulation or Restriction? is a telling account of the constraints faced by NGOs in Punjab. Its central finding is that civic space in Punjab has not been shut down outright, it has been quietly narrowed through bureaucratic, legal and financial pressures.
THE HRCP report Regulation or Restriction? is a telling account of the constraints faced by NGOs in Punjab. Its central finding is that civic space in Punjab has not been shut down outright, it has been quietly narrowed through bureaucratic, legal and financial pressures.
The need for regulation is neither new nor unreasonable. States are entitled to ensure transparency, financial accountability and compliance with the law. Yet, as the report says, the challenge lies not only in the number of requirements — from Economic Affairs Division approvals to district permissions and security clearances — but in how they are applied. Even NGOs that comply with these procedures often face prolonged delays, repeated scrutiny or sudden interruptions in their work. Approvals can take months or years, bank accounts may be frozen, and projects stalled despite applications being in process. Rather than clear regulation, this creates a system where compliance does not guarantee the ability to operate. The result is an environment of uncertainty in which NGOs must devote increasing time and resources to navigating administrative hurdles, often at the expense of their core work. Rights-based organisations, particularly those working on governance and human rights, appear to face greater constraints than service-delivery groups. Many have scaled back advocacy, adopted safer programming, with some reshaping their work to avoid delays, scrutiny or disruptions, or, in some cases, ceased operations altogether. Women-led and minority-focused groups, already navigating social pressures, find themselves doubly constrained.
The consequences extend beyond individual groups. Civil society plays a vital role in democratic systems, amplifying citizen voices, informing policy and delivering services where the state cannot. When these actors operate amidst uncertainty, their work and the communities they serve are affected. Encouragingly, there are signs of partial easing, including judicial interventions and some procedural flexibility. Yet the longer-term effects — weakened networks and constrained funding — remain. The way forward lies in balance. The report calls for a rights-compliant legal framework grounded in legislation, alongside streamlined, time-bound approval processes and structured dialogue between government and civil society. It also stresses clearer oversight, accessible legal remedies, stronger coordination among NGOs, and more flexible donor support. A state that trusts its citizens leaves room for them to organise. Without that space, governance and society are diminished.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2026
The consequences extend beyond individual groups. Civil society plays a vital role in democratic systems, amplifying citizen voices, informing policy and delivering services where the state cannot. When these actors operate amidst uncertainty, their work and the communities they serve are affected. Encouragingly, there are signs of partial easing, including judicial interventions and some procedural flexibility. Yet the longer-term effects — weakened networks and constrained funding — remain. The way forward lies in balance. The report calls for a rights-compliant legal framework grounded in legislation, alongside streamlined, time-bound approval processes and structured dialogue between government and civil society. It also stresses clearer oversight, accessible legal remedies, stronger coordination among NGOs, and more flexible donor support. A state that trusts its citizens leaves room for them to organise. Without that space, governance and society are diminished.
Published in Dawn, March 29th, 2026
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