Pakistan slips in democracy index

Pakistan has dropped six places to 124th in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index, ranking among the 10 worst-performing countries in democracy.

The EIU report classifies Pakistan as an authoritarian regime, assigning it a low score of 2.84. The report also notes that countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India face serious threats to democratic processes, with fraud and violence tarnishing elections in the region.

The index, which evaluates democracy trends across 165 countries and two territories, categorizes nations based on electoral processes, government functioning, political participation, political culture and civil liberties.

The global study noted an overall decline in democracy worldwide, with authoritarian regimes becoming increasingly entrenched. Nearly 40% of the global population now lives under authoritarian rule, with 60 countries classified as such.

The index observed a continuous drop in the average score for countries in Asia and Australasia, where Pakistan, along with Bangladesh and South Korea, showed the most significant declines.

The report highlighted electoral manipulation, divisive politics, and political unrest as major challenges in South Asia, including Pakistan. It cited allegations of political repression and interference in Pakistan’s general election, which occurred in February 2024.

Joan Hoey, Director of the Democracy Index, remarked that while authoritarian regimes are gaining strength, democracies around the world are struggling.

The report stressed that the future of democracy in South Asia would depend on the strength of civil societies and the willingness of political institutions to adopt inclusive reforms.

Overall, the 2024 Democracy Index paints a concerning picture of global democratic health, with many countries, including Pakistan, facing increasing challenges to their democratic frameworks.