Pakistan, April 6 -- The celebration of historic low inflation in Pakistan-often touted as a sign of fiscal success-masks a much deeper and more alarming issue: the erosion of democratic freedoms. The Shahbaz regime, heralding a 1% inflation rate as an achievement, has successfully managed to pull off what seems to be an economic victory, but the cost has been exorbitant, not just for the economy, but for the people's basic rights and freedoms.

While low inflation is traditionally seen as a mark of good governance, the government has achieved this through means that raise serious concerns about the future of democracy in Pakistan. By implementing measures like a 12% policy rate, slapping high taxes on essentials like food and energy, and...