Pakistan faced a severe balance of payments crisis characterized by dwindling foreign exchange reserves and high external debt obligations. The $7 billion IMF program was critical to avoid default, though it imposes stringent conditions on fiscal reforms, tax base expansion, and energy price hikes that test the government's domestic and external standing.

In 2024, the push for digital transparency and the enforcement of the RTI Act remained a key theme, as civil society and the courts emphasized that access to public information is essential for a functioning democracy.

To meet the conditions of the $7 billion IMF EFF program in 2024, Pakistan adopted fiscal discipline and tax base expansion as its primary economic guiding principles to ensure debt sustainability and macroeconomic stability.

The Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023 was a major constitutional debate that redefined the Chief Justice's powers regarding bench formation and Suo Motu notices, aiming to institutionalize the internal workings of the judiciary.

The SIFC was established as a new guiding framework to fast-track economic growth. It represents a 'hybrid' model where the civilian government and military establishment collaborate to attract foreign investment in key sectors like agriculture and mining.

The 26th Amendment, passed in late 2024, changed the judicial basis by establishing Constitutional Benches in the Supreme Court and High Courts. It also shifted the selection of the Chief Justice of Pakistan to a parliamentary committee, moving away from the seniority-only principle.

The 2024-2025 period saw a deep polarization where mainstream TV channels (regulated by PEMRA) were seen as carrying the state's narrative, while YouTube and X became the primary battlegrounds for the PTI's counter-narrative.

Following the ban on X (Twitter) in 2024, millions of Pakistanis used VPNs to access the platform. In 2025, the government attempted to register VPNs and block 'unauthorized' ones, leading to further tension with digital rights groups.

Under the Defamation Ordinance (and the 2024 Punjab Defamation Law amendments), a person is not liable if the statement made was true and its publication was for the public interest. This is a crucial defense for investigative journalists.

The DRF, led by Nighat Dad, is a prominent NGO that focuses on online harassment, data privacy, and internet freedom. It has been a key player in challenging laws like PECA and the 2024-2025 internet firewall implementation.