New Delhi: The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index for 2024 has ranked Pakistan 140th globally in terms of order and security, out of 142 countries, placing it above only Mali and Nigeria. This metric assesses crime control, protection from armed conflict, and the use of violence in civil disputes—indicating a dire state of law and order in the country.
The World Justice Project (WJP) is an independent organisation focused on generating knowledge, raising awareness, and promoting action to enhance the rule of law globally. The WJP Index ranks countries based on eight factors, including constraints on government powers and fundamental rights.
Pakistan’s specific WJP rankings are concerning: It comes in 103rd for constraints on government powers, 120th for the absence of corruption, 106th for open government, 125th for fundamental rights, 127th for regulatory enforcement, 128th for civil justice, and 98th for criminal justice. The report suggests that while the overall score has trended downward since 2019, the slight improvement in 2024 marks a potential turning point after years of decline.
Pakistan is ranked 129th in terms of the overall score—the only South Asian country ranking lower is Afghanistan. Meanwhile, India is ranked 79th, Sri Lanka is 75th, China is 95th, and Bangladesh is 127th—two places above Pakistan. No South Asian country appears in the top 50.
Denmark is in the top position, followed by Norway and Finland.
Pakistan’s law & governance
The report highlights a broader global trend where the rule of law has declined for the seventh consecutive year, although some improvement has been noted in anti-corruption measures and criminal justice systems across various countries.
The decline in Pakistan’s rule of law can be traced back to political instability and institutional overreach, particularly following the emergence of a ‘hybrid regime’ in 2018, The News wrote in its editorial.
“The hybrid project, under the then-ruling party, destabilised Pakistan economically, politically, and legally, as civil liberties and democratic norms steadily eroded … With deep divisions between the executive and judiciary, coupled with institutional overreach, the country’s rule of law has become fragile, lacking the stability that democratic norms should guarantee,” the newspaper said.
It also added that while the marginal improvement in Pakistan’s WJP ranking highlights the potential for reclaiming better governance, achieving this requires a concerted effort from all state institutions to operate within their constitutional bounds, thereby respecting democratic processes and the rule of law.
“If Pakistan is to break free from this cycle, it is imperative for all political forces to prioritise a shared vision for stability over partisan gains,” the editorial read.
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‘Parasitical fauj’ to blame
Meanwhile, Pakistanis are attributing the country’s poor performance to a “parasitical fauj (army)” that hogs resources.
Pakistani-American musician Salman Ahmad shared an AI-generated picture of a bound and gagged former PM Imran Khan with Army officers standing behind him. “Pakistan is the third-worst country for law and order and security, says the World Justice Project,” the caption read.
Former Chairman of the Baloch National Movement, Khalil Baloch said on X, “The crisis of law and order in Pakistan is neither temporary, factional, nor artificial; rather, it stems from deep-rooted national contradictions that no military solution can address. In light of these realities, true peace in Pakistan seems unattainable, making it a precarious ground for any serious investment.”
Journalist Kumail Soomroo simply wrote: “If the judiciary is independent, why is it among the bottom-ranked in the world?”
Meanwhile, PTI chose to shift the blame to PMLN. “Congratulations to Mohsin Naqvi, Qazi Faiz Isa, the establishment, PMLN, and all IG for making a mockery out of law and order. Instead of addressing core issues that would foster a more secure and fair society, they have focused more on political oppression.”
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)