Pakistan's witch hunt of Munir critics, controversial law changes: Global rights body sounds alarm

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• Rights group warns Pakistan's amendments undermine democracy, judicial freedom
• Asim Munir's critics and journalists face harassment and attacks abroad.
• Pakistan's 26th Amendment criticized for weakening judicial independence.

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A global rights group has raised alarm over the recent constitutional amendments in Pakistan which gave unprecedented powers to Field Marshal Asim Munir and flagged serious concerns over the targeting of critics and journalists in recent weeks.

In a statement posted on X, the International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) pointed out the recent court ruling in Pakistan which convicted several journalists and political commentators such as Adil Raja, Shaheen Sehbai, Moeed Pirzada and Syed Akbar Hussain.

"According to credible information, those targeted were not notified of charges or proceedings, were denied access to evidence, and were afforded no meaningful opportunity to appear or defend themselves," it said.

Incidentally, the critics are supporters of jailed former PM Imran Khan, most of whom have expressed strong criticism of Asim Munir.

The group added that such actions by Pakistan raise grave concerns regarding due process, judicial independence and compliance with constitutional guarantees.

Statement by the International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF).#Pakistan: The International Human Rights Foundation (IHRF) expresses serious concern over the reported convictions and severe prison sentences issued in absentia by an Anti-Terrorism Court in Pakistan against a…

— International Human Rights Foundation (@IHRF_English) January 7, 2026

It drew parallels between the selective targeting of critics with the recent 26th Constitutional Amendment Bill cleared by Pakistan, elevating Munir to the rank of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and giving him lifetime immunity from arrest and criminal prosecution.

" ... recent constitutional changes in Pakistan ... risk undermining democratic governance and fundamental freedoms. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has publicly warned that hastily adopted constitutional amendments in Pakistan seriously undermine judicial independence and raise concerns regarding military accountability and the rule of law." it said.

It also pointed to the concerns expressed by The International Commission of Jurists pver Pakistan’s 26th Constitutional Amendment, describing it as a "blow to judicial independence and the rule of law".

Passed in October 2024, Pakistan’s 26th Constitutional Amendment Act reshaped the judiciary by empowering a parliamentary committee to appoint the Chief Justice from the three most senior judges, reconfiguring the Judicial Commission to favour the government, capping the CJP’s term at three years, and curbing the Supreme Court’s suo motu powers—changes critics say weaken judicial independence and expand executive influence.

The group also pointed to a "troubling pattern" of using counterterrorism frameworks against journalists and dissenting voices, describing it as "judicial harassment".

The statement also comes amid targeted attacks against critics of Asim Munir living in exile in countries like UK and US.

The US house of Pakistani journalist Pirzada caught fire last week under mysterious circumstances, leading to strong speculations on social media about possible foulplay. Two other prominent critics of the Pakistan military establishment — Adil Raja and Shehzad Akbar — also faced attacks and break-ins in UK over the past week.