In Pakistan, political competition took place under severe restrictions. After the removal of the previous government in 2022, leading figures of the ousted party, including former Prime Minister Imran Khan, were imprisoned. In May 2023, large-scale protests erupted, leading to violent clashes and a broad wave of repression. Many people were arrested, and open criticism of the authorities was treated as a criminal offense. New legal measures curtailed freedom of expression, the right to assembly, and the autonomy of the judiciary. The postponed parliamentary election in February 2024 was widely regarded as unfree, as the main opposition force faced major obstacles in its campaign. The political situation remained deadlocked, while the military further strengthened its dominant role.
Pakistan faced a balance-of-payments crisis driven by debt repayments, high energy costs and the economic effects of the 2022 floods. Inflation reached double-digit levels before the Pakistan Democratic Movement government initiated IMF-supported stabilization programs. By late 2024, inflation had fallen and Pakistan recorded its first fiscal surplus in decades. Structural weaknesses persisted, including low productivity, limited export growth, rent-seeking and inadequate revenue collection.
Governance was shaped by security challenges and economic stabilization efforts. Militant violence intensified in certain regions, prompting renewed military operations. Crisis management relied on external financial support.
