The World Justice Project’s (WJP) Rule of Law Index for 2024 has revealed a marginal improvement for Pakistan, which has moved up one position to rank 129th out of 142 countries assessed.

Despite this slight advancement from its 2023 ranking of 130th, Pakistan remains significantly challenged in various key areas, including civil and criminal justice, fundamental rights, open government, and regulatory enforcement.

The report serves as a critical assessment of Pakistan’s justice system and governance, highlighting ongoing issues such as corruption and security. Pakistan ranks 140th in the global category of order and security, making it the third worst globally in this regard. This ranking evaluates crime control, protection from armed conflict, and the resolution of civil disputes through violence.

Regionally, Pakistan ranks fifth out of six South Asian countries assessed, reflecting a persistent struggle to uphold the rule of law. The country’s overall score has shown a downward trend from 2019 to 2023, although the 2024 report indicates a reversal of that trend after five years of negative performance.

Key rankings for Pakistan in the 2024 WJP Rule of Law Index include:

• Criminal Justice: 98th globally, 4th regionally
• Civil Justice: 128th globally, 4th regionally
• Regulatory Enforcement: 127th globally, 5th regionally
• Fundamental Rights: 125th globally, 4th regionally
• Open Government: 106th globally, 4th regionally
• Absence of Corruption: 124th globally, 5th regionally
• Constraints on Government Powers: 103rd globally, 4th regionally

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