A Statement of Solidarity and Urgent Concern

At PridePakistan.org, we stand in unwavering solidarity with every member of the LGBTQI community currently living under a shadow of fear in Pakistan. Our organization is deeply saddened and outraged by the escalating wave of arrests, digital surveillance, and state-sponsored harassment targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.

For too long, the international community has been told a convenient narrative: that while homosexuality is technically illegal in Pakistan under colonial-era laws, the state does not actively “prosecute” people for being gay. We are here to tell you that this narrative is a myth. Today, the persecution has moved from the streets to the digital world. The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) have launched a coordinated crackdown, not just by blocking websites like our own (PridePakistan.org) and popular dating platforms, but by actively hunting down those who attempt to access these safe spaces.

The Digital Trap: Entrapment and Human Rights Violations

The Pakistani state is utilizing the NCCIA and FIA to turn the internet into a minefield for the gay community. It is no longer just about censorship; it is about entrapment. Reports indicate that security agencies are monitoring dating platforms and using them to lure community members into “honey traps,” leading to public shaming, arrests, and the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs).

The blocking of PridePakistan.org and other support resources is a direct attempt to isolate the community, cutting off access to mental health support, legal advice, and a sense of belonging. Even more alarming is the arrest of individuals simply for trying to bypass these blocks to find connection in a society that continues to marginalize them.

The Reality of Torture and Daily FIRs

PridePakistan issues this strong statement today because we can no longer remain silent about the volume of suffering we witness. On a daily basis, PridePakistan receives thousands of messages and calls for help. Our community members report:

• Systemic Torture: Individuals taken into custody by the FIA and police are often subjected to physical and psychological torture.
• Illegal FIRs: Authorities are using broad “obscenity” and “cybercrime” laws to register cases against gay men, often without any evidence of a crime other than their identity.
• Blackmail: These arrests often lead to state-sanctioned extortion, where victims are forced to pay bribes to avoid public exposure or further violence.

These actions are a blatant violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to privacy, the right to assembly, and the right to live free from torture.

Reframing the Narrative: From “Criminals” to Human Beings

Recent Urdu news reports (linked below) have characterized these incidents as the “arrest of homosexual gangs” or the “busting of unethical networks.” We want to rephrase these events for what they truly are: The targeting of vulnerable citizens seeking connection.

Where the local media says “FIA arrests gang involved in unethical activities,” we say: “State agencies target individuals seeking safe digital spaces for community building.” Where headlines scream “Homosexual network busted via mobile apps,” we recognize: “The state is violating the digital privacy of LGBTQI individuals to justify illegal detention.”

We urge the Pakistani state to remember that the gay community in Pakistan consists of its own citizens—doctors, engineers, students, and workers—who deserve the same protection of law as any other individual.

Call to Action

We call upon human rights organizations, both local and international, to take notice of the FIA and NCCIA’s targeted campaign against the gay community in Pakistan. Privacy is a human right. Connection is a human right. Freedom from torture is a human right.

To our community members: Please stay safe. Use high-quality VPNs, be cautious of who you meet via digital platforms, and know that PridePakistan.org continues to fight for your visibility and safety, even when the state tries to switch off our lights.

References and News Archive

The following reports document the recent surge in state actions against the community. We include these to show the scale of the crackdown, while condemning the derogatory language often used by these outlets:

1. BBC Urdu: Crackdown on social media and dating apps
2. Daily Pakistan: FIA actions against dating platform users
3. Jang News: Reports on arrests related to digital networking
4. City42: Police and FIA raids on community members
5. Express News: Targeted arrests of gay individuals in major cities
6. Googly News: The state’s focus on “Blue” apps and digital surveillance