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 survey was finalized after their inputs and launched through monkey survey during the months of October -November 2022. 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 431 CSOs from all across the country. Detailed findings of the survey were also shared with related stakeholders including government authorities by organizing seven stakeholder forums at national and subnational level. 151 government officials representing registration and regulation departments, home departments, charity commission, Economic Affairs Division etc. and leaders of 231 CSOs attended the stakeholders consultations. This extensive process has not only contributed in developing Pakistan Civic Space Monitor but also helped in formulating CSOs Charter for Civic Space as well as Online Petition for Civic Rights & Spaces.
The survey tool was classified in seven pillars including 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 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. The responses are reflected through traffic lights by using green for agree, yellow for moderate and red for disagree. Only green 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.