Wed Oct 30 06:59:16 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan Ranks Third Worst in Law and Order, Global Rule of Law Declines
**ISLAMABAD -** Pakistan has been ranked third-worst among 142 nations in terms of law and order, according to the 2024 World Justice Project (WJP) Rule of Law Index. The country’s overall ranking on the index stands at 129th.
The report, which evaluates countries based on eight factors including constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, and order and security, revealed that Pakistan performed particularly poorly in the latter category, ranking 140th. Only Mali and Nigeria were ranked lower.
The report highlighted a global decline in the rule of law for the seventh consecutive year, with a majority of countries experiencing deterioration in their rankings. This decline has been attributed to executive overreach, worsening human rights conditions, and justice systems failing to meet citizens’ needs.
Despite the overall negative trend, the report notes a “slowing” decline and the possibility of “progress,” with the proportion of countries experiencing rule of law erosion shrinking for the third consecutive year. Notably, more countries saw improvements in the absence of corruption factor, and a majority of countries have improved their criminal justice systems.
While the report acknowledges that Pakistan is among the worst performers in terms of law and order, it also highlights the global context of a declining rule of law. The report calls for renewed efforts to expand rule of law gains in all areas.
The report also highlights the correlation between democratic elections and improvements in rule of law. Some of the countries that showed significant improvements in the index saw new, democratically elected governments take office in the past year.
First Piper 