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Over the past decade, information integrity has emerged as a cornerstone of healthy democracies, underpinning public trust, accountable governance and meaningful citizen participation. As digital spaces have become increasingly polluted by disinformation and fake content, exacerbated by the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence, societies face growing challenges in distinguishing fact from fiction.

Pakistan’s Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) was supposed to help end technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) against women journalists, but, instead, it facilitates it. Passed by parliament in 2016, the PECA is Pakistan’s primary cybersecurity law, and a controversial one at that.

This discussion paper is a result of the work performed at the Democracy in South Asia Outlook Forum in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 28–30 November 2024, convened by International IDEA and the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA). The forum brought together a multidisciplinary group of experts from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Pakistan’s history and geographic location have made it a major migration hub. From the mass movements triggered by partition to ongoing internal and international population flows, migration has shaped—and continues to shape—the country’s political, social and economic landscape.