The World Justice Project Rule of Law Index is the world’s leading source for original, independent data on the rule of law. It gathers and analyzes data from over 128 countries; Pakistan’s ranking declined from 117th in 2019 to 120th in 2020 with a total score 0.39. The World Justice Project defines the rule of law as a durable system of laws, institutions, norms, and community commitment that delivers the Four Universal Principles namely accountability, just laws, open government and accessible and impartial dispute resolution.

The four universal principles are further developed in the following eight factors: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice. Sets of indicators are devised against each of these 8 factors

ANALYSIS OF PAKISTAN’S PERFORMANCE IN LIGHT OF ITS RANKING BY THE WORLD JUSTICE PROJECT RULE OF LAW INDEX (2021)

The Green Draft consultancy firm conducted a thorough analysis in 2021, which aimed to assess Pakistan’s performance under the purview of the indicators, identify gaps and suggest recommendations for improvement to law, policy makers and relevant government officials. The aim of the study was to answer the pertinent question as to whether improving access to rights for women and children in Pakistan will have a positive effect on Pakistan’s ranking by World Justice Project Rule of Law Index. The purpose of the proposed study was to analyze this ‘decline’ in Pakistan’s ranking from 117th in 2019 to 120th in 2020 – using a gender and child sensitive lens – and thereafter suggest recommendations for improvement to the Government of Pakistan. Pakistan’s performance under selected factors was assessed pursuant to the indicators devised by the World Justice Project.