Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index Report 2023 raised concerns about the crackdown against political workers in Pakistan and the pattern of political harassment, arrests, and long-term detentions.

Democracy Index Report 2023 reclassified Pakistan from a “hybrid regime” to an “authoritarian regime”.

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) most recent ranking, Pakistan was demoted to an authoritarian regime category. Pakistan registered the greatest deterioration of any country in the region—its score fell by 0.88 to 3.25, resulting in a fall of 11 places in the global ranking table, to 118th.

READ MORE: 2022 was depressing year for democracy in Pakistan

According to reports, the vote rigging was evident in the nation’s most recent polls. In light of the nation’s ongoing balance of payments problems and fiscal constraints, the research projects meager GDP growth in FY24 as the nation continues to rely on lenders for its commitments under sovereign debt. After March 2024, the next government will obtain another IMF package, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit.

With the average global score dropping to its lowest point since the index started in 2006, it was an unlucky year for democracy. Around 40% of people in the world live under authoritarian rule—a percentage that has been steadily rising in recent years—while less than 8% of people live in fully democratic countries. The majority of violent conflict has significantly lowered the score for global democracy and hindered any recovery from the epidemic years of 2020–22.

The Democracy Index research from EIU examines the geopolitical causes of conflict as well as the relationship between democracy, war, and peace. EIU’s democracy index report gives an in-depth regional overview and an explanation of the shifts in the world.

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