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Pakistan

Monthly Updates

January 2023

The National Assembly passed legislation on 17 January to further strengthen the country's strict blasphemy law, increasing the punishment in cases of those insulting the Holy Prophet and his companions from 3 to 10 years, extendable up to life imprisonment. The bill also suggests hefty fines and making it a non-bailable offence. Human rights activists have expressed deep concern over how the law might be weaponized to increase the persecution of religious minorities.

November 2022

On 3 November, Imran Khan, former Prime Minister and opposition leader, was shot in the leg at a protest rally. A person was killed and at least 10 others were injured in the attack. Police arrested the gunman at the scene and are investigating the case as a lone shooter, but Khan has accused the current government of conspiring to assassinate him. Khan has been leading a nationwide protest against the government, calling for early elections. He announced that his party, Tehreek-e-Insaf, will quit all regional and national assemblies. His protest movement has further polarized the Pakistani electorate and added to the country's political instability at a time of ecological and economic crisis. 

October 2022

Pakistan's election commission disqualified former prime minister Imran Khan from holding public office on 21 October following accusations that he incorrectly declared his assets and illegally sold state gifts. Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party alleges the decision is politically motivated and  will challenge it in Islamabad's high court. Mr Khan called on his supporters to protest the decision outside of Islamabad, although these came to a halt when police began firing tear gas to disperse crowds. The decision is expected to escalate political tensions amid Khan's long-promised march to Islamabad, challenging the government of his successor and calling for snap elections. 

September 2022

Unprecedented monsoon floods have killed at least 1596 people and submerged a third of the country. Beyond climate change, experts indicate that several factors compounded the devastation, pointing to years of delayed action and structural failures of the government in protecting people living in flood-prone areas. Inadequate infrastructure and outdated drainage systems, as well as corruption and improper water management systems, are said to have fuelled the crisis leading to the poorest classes getting hit the hardest. The government is now taking measures to combat the outbreak of water-borne diseases caused by contaminated water sources. 

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GSoD Indices Data 2012-2021

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Basic Information

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Population Tooltip
225 199 930
System of government
Parliamentary system
Head of government
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif (since 2022)
Head of government party
Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N)
Electoral system for lower or single chamber
Parallel
Women in lower or single chamber
20.5%
Women in upper chamber
19.0%
Last legislative election
2018
Head of state
President Arif Alvi
Selection process for head of state
Indirect election (assembly + regional/local representatives)
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) date
13/11/2017
Latest Universal Periodic Review (UPR) percentage of recommendations supported
58.13%
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Human Rights Treaties

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State Party State party
Signatory Signatory
No Action No action
United Nations Human Right Treaties
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
State Party
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
State Party
International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
State Party
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
State Party
Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment
State Party
Convention on the Rights of the Child
State Party
International Convention on Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
No Action
International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance 
No Action
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
State Party
International Labour Organisation Treaties
Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention
State Party
Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention
State Party
Equal Remuneration Convention
State Party
Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
State Party
Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention
State Party
Convention concerning Minimum Age for Admission to Employment
State Party
Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
State Party
in
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Early Warning System BETA

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Moderate risk of democratic breakdown Moderate risk of democratic breakdown (BETA)
Low risk of democratic backsliding Low risk of democratic backsliding (BETA)

Attributes Over Time

Representative government neutral Representative Government
Sep 2022
Oct
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Jan
Feb 2023
Representative government neutral Fundamental rights
Sep 2022
Oct
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Representative government neutral Checks on government
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Oct
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Representative government neutral Impartial administration
Sep 2022
Oct
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Representative government neutral Participatory engagement
Sep 2022
Oct
Nov
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Jan
Feb 2023

GSoD Indices

Regime type
0 10