In order to develop Pakistan Civic Space Monitor, a National Working Group (NWG) was established. NWG was comprised of leading CSOs leaders representing AwazCDS-Pakistan, Pakistan Development Alliance, Sungi Development Organization, PODA, PCHR, National Action & Coordination Group (NACG), Ujala Network, Child Rights Movement (CRM), Pakistan Coalition for Education (PCE), Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO). The national secretariat team of Pakistan Development Alliance prepared the draft survey to collect related information for monitor. The survey was then presented in the NWG meeting. The invaluable inputs of NWG members were incorporated and the improved survey was shared with the provincial and regional lead organizations of Pakistan Development Alliance, this includes AwazCDS-Pakistan, Takhleeque Foundation (Sindh), Home Net (Punjab), Blue Veins (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Water Environment & Sanitation Society -WESS (Balochistan), Area Development Organization-ADO- (Azad Jammu & Kashmir ), Publishing Extension Network -PEN (Gilgit Baltistan) and Ugood (Islamabad Capital Territory -ICT). The previous year’s survey was modified while considering the EU’s Strengthening Enabling Environment Principles including 1) respect & protection of fundamental freedoms 2)   support legal & regulatory frameworks 3) accessible & sustainable resources 4) state openness and responsiveness 5) political culture and public discourse on civil society. The revised tool was finalized after the inputs of eminent leaders and human rights defenders. Finally, the questionnaire was launched through monkey survey during the months of July-August 2025. The online survey was widely circulated through the list serves of Pakistan Development Alliance, National Humanitarian Network (NHN), Ujala Network, Child Rights Movement (CRM) and PakNGOs. The survey was also circulated through WhatsApp Groups of CSOs including CSOs Solidarity Group, Pakistan National Council Group of IUCN affiliated organizations, National Council for SDGs Group, Union of Small Farmers Group, Pakistan Political Economy Group, Corporate Social Responsibility-CSR Group.

The online survey was responded by 295 CSOs from all across the country.

While analyzing the survey tool, the results were classified in seven pillars including Fundamental Freedoms, Supportive Legal and Regulatory Framework, Accessibility and Sustainability of Resources, State Openness and Responsiveness, Political Culture and Public Discourses on Civil Society, Security and Personal Safety, Gender and Marginalized Groups

The situation against each pillar was assessed through several questions. The score of each pillar is determined through the responses of representatives of informed civil society on various questions. The responses on various questions under each of the seven pillars are received in three categories i.e. Agree, Moderate and Disagree. Only agreed responses are considered for measuring score against each of the seven pillars and the PCSM as a whole.

The PCSM classifies the status of civic space in five categories i.e. Open (81-100), Narrowed (61-80), Obstructed(41-60), Repressed (21-40) and Closed (1-20). The more the score the better the civic space situation.  The accumulated country score on civic space is an average score based on the average score of seven pillars regarding right to freedom of speech & assembly, freedom of information & dissemination, civic spaces & human rights, situation of vulnerable groups, rule of law & justice, corruption & illicit flow of funds, governance accountability and meaningful public participation.

The PCSM also shares the civic space status at sub-national level i.e. Azad Jammu & Kashmir , Balochistan, Gilgit Baltistan, Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sindh following the same process & methodology.