Sharif's PML-N least 'democratic' political party of Pak says Pildat report

The Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), a think tank focussed on political and public policy research, has declared the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) as the least democratic political party when it comes to handling its internal affairs.

The annual report on internal democracy of major political parties was released on Monday, reports the Dawn.

The research focused on eight mainstream political parties, which received an overall score of 40 percent of 100, five of these parties hold the largest number of seats in the National Assembly.

The report shows the state of internal democracy of political parties, although not in good shape the previous year, further deteriorated in 2015.

The ruling PML-N's irregular or no party meetings, lack of competitive elections and continuation of the same leadership since the founding of the party are factors perceived as the major weaknesses in the democratic character of the party, according to the report.

According to the report, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) stands at the top of the democratic scale with a percentage of 56 percent. The Hasil Bizenjo-led National Party follows with 47 percent and the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf at 44 percent.