Voice and accountability

Can citizens choose and control their government?

Indicators

Voice and accountability measures the extent to which a country's citizens can participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association and a free media.

What it measures

Free and fair elections and political rights.
Freedom of expression and a free, independent media.
Freedom of association and assembly.
Civil liberties and the role of civil society.
Accountability of public officials to citizens.

Why it matters

Citizens can remove bad governments peacefully.
A free press exposes corruption and misgovernance.
Participation gives governments legitimacy and better information about people's needs.

Application in Pakistan

Strengths: regular elections; transfers of power between elected governments in 2013 and 2018; an active, diverse media and civil society; constitutional rights to expression, assembly and information (Articles 16, 17, 19, 19A).
Weaknesses: disputes over the fairness of elections; restrictions on media, journalists and social media; curbs on protests; enforced disappearances; laws such as PECA (2016, amended 2025) criticized for limiting expression.
International indices such as the RSF World Press Freedom Index rank Pakistan low, reflecting threats to journalists.

Way forward

Strengthen the Election Commission's independence and electoral transparency.
Protect journalists (the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021) and review restrictive laws.
Implement the right to information effectively.
Empower elected local governments.

Note

Pakistan's figures here are approximate recent ranges; check the latest annual release of the Worldwide Governance Indicators for exact values.