Lahore, March 28 -- A fact-finding report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has raised concerns over the shrinking civic space in Punjab, warning that increasing restrictions on rights-based NGOs indicate a growing trend of democratic regression in Pakistan, as reported by The Express Tribune.

Titled "Regulation or Restriction?", the report highlights that NGOs are now required to navigate a series of complicated approval processes.

These include signing mandatory memorandums of understanding with the Economic Affairs Division, obtaining no-objection certificates at the district level, securing security clearances, and undergoing re-registration with the provincial charity commission.

According to the findings, these regulator...