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Pakistan ranks 130th in global rule of law index
Published : Monday, 2 November, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Observer Online Report
Pakistan ranked 130th among 143 countries in the World Justice Project's (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2025, highlighting challenges in its justice system, law enforcement and institutional accountability.
The country scored 0.37 in the index, which assesses eight areas: constraints on government powers, absence of corruption, open government, fundamental rights, order and security, regulatory enforcement, civil justice and criminal justice.
The assessment shows that Pakistan's challenges extend beyond the judiciary, as the overall rule of law ranking reflects the performance of several institutions, including the government, law enforcement agencies and bodies involved in investigation and prosecution.
Pakistan ranked last among the 143 countries in the order and security category. It stood 129th in civil justice and 101st in criminal justice.
In comparison, Bangladesh ranked 125th overall, 132nd in civil justice and 118th in criminal justice. Türkiye ranked 118th overall and 106th in criminal justice, while Russia stood 119th overall and 128th in criminal justice. Brazil ranked 78th overall and 111th in criminal justice.
The figures indicate that a country's overall position does not necessarily reflect its performance in individual areas of justice.
The index also highlighted shortcomings in Pakistan's civil justice system. The country scored 0.36 in accessibility and affordability of civil justice, 0.28 in the absence of unreasonable delays and 0.35 in the effectiveness of enforcement of judgments.
To address these challenges, Pakistan's Supreme Court has been implementing an 86-point reform programme since November 2024. According to a September 2026 progress report, 64 initiatives have been completed.
The initiatives include public service centres for court-related information and assistance, online document processing, video-link hearings and support for overseas litigants. Measures have also been introduced to assist women and disadvantaged litigants.
Progress has also been reported in reducing case backlogs. Case disposal at the Supreme Court increased by around 56 per cent in the 2024-25 fiscal year compared with the previous fiscal year. District courts disposed of around 1.47 million time-bound cases between September 2025 and July 2026.
The analysis noted that international rankings could help identify institutional weaknesses and encourage reforms, but rankings alone cannot provide a complete picture of a country's justice system. Ultimately, the effectiveness of the rule of law depends on whether ordinary citizens can access justice conveniently, affordably and without undue delay.
- MaT
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, 01550707296
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], Online-email: [email protected]
