Pakistan launches first-ever State of Freedom Report 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s first State of Freedom Report 2026 was launched on Monday, presenting what organisers described as the country’s first evidence-based national benchmark on freedoms, governance performance and public trust.

The report was prepared by Mishal Pakistan, the World Economic Forum’s country partner institute in Pakistan. It offers a national assessment spanning political, civil, economic, digital, legal and social freedoms, while also measuring institutional performance, citizen empowerment and governance outcomes.

The report was unveiled at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad in collaboration with the China-Pakistan Study Centre. The launch event was attended by senior government officials, parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, media representatives, civil society members and policy experts. Barrister Aqeel Malik, Minister of State for Law and Justice, was present as the chief guest.

At the event, Amir Jahangir, co-author of the report and chief executive officer of Mishal Pakistan, described the publication as a historic step in Pakistan’s governance and policy landscape. Puruesh Chaudhary, also a co-author and governance expert, highlighted the importance of citizen trust, inclusion and future readiness in the broader discussion around freedom and governance.