The Role and Relevance of Civil Society Organizations and Their Work in Pakistan - Podcast

Civil society organisations play an important role in advocating for democratic governance, human rights and inclusive development. Yet, as public and institutional trust comes under strain, questions about their relevance, accountability and contribution to Pakistan’s development priorities have become increasingly important. How can advocacy-focused CSOs sustain their role and respond to changing public needs? In this episode of AccountabiliTea Podcast, Mr. Asif Farooqui, Director Programs at Accountability Lab Pakistan, sits with Mr. Mukhtar Ahmad Ali, Executive Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), and Mr. Rashid Chaudhry, Democracy and Elections Expert, to examine the purpose of civil society beyond service delivery. The discussion explores the challenges facing advocacy organisations, their relationship with government and the public, and how they can strengthen credibility, engage constructively with stakeholders and remain relevant to Pakistan’s evolving governance and development landscape. Watch the full episode to explore how civil society organisations can build public trust, strengthen their contribution to policy debates and sustain their role in democratic governance.