Surveys from 2023 and 2024 indicate a significant level of dissatisfaction with the current democratic system in Pakistan.
According to a Gallup & Gilani Pakistan survey in 2024, only 17% of Pakistanis “strongly agree” that democracy is the best system of governance, despite its flaws. When including those who “somewhat agree,” the percentage rises to 38% (17% strongly agree + 21% somewhat agree). This marks a significant decline from 40% who strongly agreed in 2007.
A Gallup International study from 2023 found that Pakistan topped the list of countries most dissatisfied with democracy, with 38% disagreeing (strongly or somewhat) with the statement “Democracy may have its flaws, but it is the best system of governance?” Furthermore, 68% of Pakistanis disagreed (strongly or somewhat) that their country is ruled by the will of the people, and 45% disagreed that elections in their country are free and fair.
Overall, while a large majority of Pakistanis may endorse the idea of democracy, there is considerable dissatisfaction with how it is functioning in practice and a growing skepticism about its effectiveness as a system of governance in the country.