FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION

Although the Constitution acknowledged it to be a fundamental right, freedom of association in Pakistan has never been universally guaranteed and group mobilization has never been strong. Restrictive rules against association and a history of severe repression aggravate this trend. Only two of Pakistan's many political parties are national in scope and political affiliations remain largely based upon patronage and family, clan and religion. The country appears to be heading towards a two-party system but this will be effective only if recent confrontational tendencies are abandoned and both parties undertake to behave in an accountable fashion when in power and responsibly when in opposition.

Welfare and charity-oriented NGOs have existed in Pakistan since its inception, some of which became channels for patronage, and others of which are genuine and effective. A second category of human-rights oriented NGOs developed and functioned in Pakistan throughout the darkest years of political and social repression. These organizations have performed the role of defending and promoting human rights and the values of civil society. Although recently there has been a modicum of official acceptance and acknowledgement of the work of these organizations, there is a danger that new registration requirements will restrict their autonomy.