Assessment of the Quality of Pakistan’s Democracy 2025
December 31, 2025: Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT) has released its Assessment of the Quality of Democracy in Pakistan 2025, finding that while democratic institutions remain intact in form, their functioning has become increasingly constrained by a security-driven governance paradigm. 2025 was characterised by the consolidation and normalisation of the hybrid governance model rather than its disruption.
The security-driven environment, particularly since the brief but intense Pakistan-India armed conflict in May 2025, has further entrenched the security establishment’s influence over all matters, including democratic institutions and governance in Pakistan. This “hybrid” model has the full endorsement of the civilian government, which increasingly views democracy through the lens of state survival. Regional security developments, including tensions with India and Afghanistan, alongside persistent internal insurgencies and intense political polarization, have all contributed to Pakistan’s reversion to becoming a security-centric state. PILDAT assessment highlights that 2025 marked the institutionalisation of a hybrid governance model in which democratic institutions operate within parameters increasingly defined by security threats and priorities as they now override democratic norms and principles.
PILDAT’s assessment highlights the following institutional developments during 2025:
As Parliament passed the consequential 27th Constitutional Amendment with limited debate and consensus, PILDAT observed Parliamentary representativeness and oversight were also weakened by continuing vacancies in the offices of Leader of the Opposition in both Houses.
Executive authority remained formally civilian but substantively constrained. The Prime Minister and Defence Minister’s statements regarding governing in collaboration with the establishment exemplified the formalisation of the hybrid model.
Judiciary experienced significant structural changes during 2025 as the constitutional amendment created a new Federal Constitutional Court, continued operation of military courts for civilians as well as high-profile accountability proceedings conducted under exceptional conditions collectively raised concerns regarding due process.
Security establishment’s role in national decision-making became even more prominent after major terrorist incidents, continued instability along the western border, and the India-Pakistan confrontation in 2025. This was reflected in the restructuring of the military command through constitutional amendment, the elevation of the COAS to rank of Field Marshal and increasing commentary by representatives of security institutions on governance and political issues.
Electoral processes continued through by-elections but low voter turnout, boycotts and political disengagement limited their capacity to restore public trust.
