Strengthening Voices: A Series of Workshops on ‘Freedom of Expression with Responsibility’ Across Pakistan
In 2023, Freedom Gate, launched a groundbreaking series of workshops across four major cities in Pakistan—Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur—under the theme "Freedom of Expression with Responsibility." The initiative sought to foster critical thinking, promote responsible communication, and equip youth with the tools to navigate an increasingly complex information landscape.
This series of two-day intensive workshops reached over a hundred young university students and fresh graduates, nurturing their intellectual curiosity and reinforcing democratic values rooted in freedom of speech, responsibility, and civic engagement.
Lahore: Setting the Tone | 15–16 July 2023
The first of the series was held at the Four Points Hotel in Lahore, gathering university students aged 18–24. The event was moderated by Ms. Anjbeen Soomro and Ms. Hawwa Fazal, who led participants through engaging sessions designed to instill an appreciation for the power and responsibility embedded within free expression.
The agenda included practical exercises that demonstrated the dangers of misinformation and disinformation. A standout moment was an interactive segment where participants successfully identified fake news scenarios, indicating their developing skill in critical media analysis.
Participants praised the program for its relevance, especially given the current media climate where a single ‘share’ can escalate misinformation with real-world consequences. The Lahore workshop not only met but exceeded its objectives, laying the foundation for the subsequent sessions in other cities.
Karachi: Embracing Diversity | 4–5 August 2023
The second workshop, hosted in Karachi at IBA's City Campus, was emblematic of the city's cultural and intellectual diversity. A total of 32 participants, selected and gathered to explore freedom of expression from multiple socio-political lenses.
Sessions explored the nuanced intersections between free speech and accountability, misinformation and civic discourse. Participants engaged in role plays and simulations, including a debate exercise where they took on conflicting positions in a democratic setup. The activity was praised for helping participants develop empathy and analytical depth.
The event concluded with a panel discussion involving journalists and digital media specialists who underscored the need for young people to be both expressive and ethically informed. Karachi’s workshop left behind a digital footprint as participants remained connected through social media, continuing conversations around the workshop's themes.
Hyderabad: Bridging Gaps | 8–9 September 2023
Hyderabad’s event stood out for its emphasis on dialogue across ideological lines. Held at the Sindh Development Studies Center, University of Sindh, the event brought together students from varied academic backgrounds and regional communities.
The workshop placed strong focus on contextual communication and the importance of tailoring messages responsibly across different mediums. A dedicated session on "narrative framing" allowed participants to deconstruct how misinformation gains traction within cultural narratives. Moderators Anjbeen Soomro and Hawwa Fazal employed an interactive approach through breakout group discussions and fact-checking challenges.
The energy and engagement levels of participants were described as “electric.” By the end of the second day, students demonstrated a remarkable ability to differentiate between facts, satire, propaganda, and deliberate misinformation. The follow-up includes participants collaborating on university newsletters and initiating peer awareness campaigns within their campuses.
Sukkur: Sustainability of Learning | 14–15 October 2023
The final event of the series took place at Sukkur IBA University. With 32 selected participants, the workshop closed the series on a powerful note by highlighting the ripple effect of responsible
communication education. Like earlier iterations, the sessions were rich with discussions, practical examples, and collaborative exercises.
One highlight was the emergence of post-event engagement, as many participants chose “freedom of expression with responsibility” as a topic for class presentations and university assignments. This organic integration of workshop themes into academic life reflects the lasting impact of the program.
As with the previous workshops, moderators Soomro and Fazal guided participants through real-world examples of media manipulation and helped them identify their own biases and information processing patterns. The digital community formed post-workshop remains active, serving as a space for continued critical engagement and media literacy advocacy.
Key Themes Across Cities
Across all four locations, the workshops shared several common themes:
Critical Thinking: Empowering participants to question, analyze, and evaluate information beyond surface-level content.
Misinformation and Disinformation: Practical tools were provided to identify and counter fake news and manipulative content.
Democratic Values: A reinforced understanding that free speech must be exercised with responsibility, civility, and accountability.
Youth Empowerment: Through interactive methods—debates, role plays, simulations—participants gained confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to public discourse.
Conclusion: A National Footprint of Liberal Empowerment
With over 120 youth engaged, and hundreds more impacted indirectly through academic and digital spheres, this series of workshops has carved a remarkable path toward strengthening liberal democratic values in Pakistan. Freedom Gate’s approach proved that dialogue, when rooted in responsible expression, has the power to transform how a generation interacts with truth, freedom, and the world around them.
In a time when polarization is rampant and digital misinformation widespread, these workshops offered not just knowledge—but hope. They have created ripple effects of informed expression, encouraging youth to be ambassadors of responsible freedom in their universities, communities, and beyond.
