The Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan was founded in 2011 by a group of concerned citizens with the primary objective of enabling Pakistanis to attain the realisation of their civil, human, economic, social and political rights. It is an independent, non-political and not-for-profit legal organisation that is dedicated to protecting and defending human rights through judicial means, across Pakistan. It is registered as a society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

PILAP conducts its public interest work through means of research, advocacy, and litigation.

Research: Once a matter of public interest is selected the organisation conducts thorough research into the issue by looking into factual and background information and conduct legal research to assess how fundamental rights are being affected and which government authority can be approached for redress.

Advocacy: Armed with this information, we then approach the concerned public authority by advocating for the grant of fundamental rights owed to the people. Advocacy is undertaken through applications submitted under the Right to Information laws and, if need be, appealing to the Pakistan Information Commission. We also submit letters to Federal Ministries advocating for the passage of bills that are crucial to the fulfillment of fundamental rights. On occasion we issue public statements on important matters of public interest.

Litigation: The third stage in our public interest work is seeking redress through the courts of law by filing writ petitions for the enforcement of fundamental rights.