Know Your Constitutional Rights
Constitutional rights are the basic protections given to every person by the Constitution of Pakistan, mainly protected under Articles 8 to 28 of the Constitution of Pakistan. These rights protect our life, dignity, liberty, equality, education, religion, speech, property, culture, and access to justice.
They are not just legal terms. They affect everyday life. When people know their rights, they are better able to recognize injustice, report violations, support others, and hold institutions accountable. They help ensure that the State, public authorities, and institutions treat citizens fairly.
They protect a child’s right to go to school, a citizen’s right to speak, a worker’s right not to be exploited, a person’s right to privacy, and every citizen’s right to be treated equally before the law.
PILAP works to make these rights easier to understand and easier to use. Our aim is to help citizens know their rights, recognize violations, and use lawful channels to seek justice.
Relevant Articles
Your Constitutional rights apply across different aspects of your life
Article 8: Supremacy of Fundamental Rights
Any law or government action that violates fundamental rights can be challenged
Article 9: Right to Life and Liberty
Every person has the right to live safely and with dignity. Courts have also connected this right with health, safety, clean environment, and protection from serious harm. This is one of the broadest and most powerful Constitutional rights, it is not only about “being alive”; it also includes the basic conditions needed to live safely and with dignity.
This right can apply to issues like unsafe water, pollution, police abuse, violence, unsafe workplaces, and threats to life.
Article 10: Safeguards During Arrest and Detention
Every person has the right to be treated fairly by the legal system. If someone is arrested, accused, or taken to court, they must be given proper legal safeguards.
Article 10A: Fair Trial and Due Process
No one should lose their rights, liberty, property, job, or reputation without a fair process. This includes the right to know the case against them, the right to legal help, and the right to a fair hearing.
Article 11: Prohibition of Slavery, Forced Labour and Child Labour
No one can be forced to work against their will. Slavery, trafficking, forced labour, and child labour are prohibited.
Article 12: Protection Against Retrospective Punishment
A person cannot be punished for something that was not illegal when it happened.
Article 13: Protection Against Double Punishment and Self-Incrimination
A person cannot be punished twice for the same offence. A person also cannot be forced to confess or give evidence against themselves.
Article 14: Dignity and Privacy
Every person must be treated with respect. Their home, body, private life, and personal information must be protected.
In today’s world, this right also connects with digital privacy, protection from unlawful surveillance, data misuse, online harassment, and misuse of personal information.
Article 15: Freedom of Movement
Citizens can move freely and live anywhere in Pakistan, subject to lawful restrictions.
Article 16: Freedom of Peaceful Assembly
Citizens have the right to gather peacefully and without weapons.
This includes peaceful protests, rallies, public meetings, and community gatherings. However, the State may impose lawful restrictions for public order.
Article 17: Freedom of Association
Citizens can form groups, associations, unions, and political parties.
This right supports democracy because people can organize, participate, and work together for shared causes.
Article 18: Freedom of Trade, Business or Profession
Citizens have the right to choose lawful work, business, trade, or profession.
The State can regulate businesses and professions through law, but restrictions should not be unfair or discriminatory.
Article 19: Freedom of Speech and Expression
Citizens have the right to express their opinions. This includes speaking, writing, journalism, media, and digital expression.
This right is important for democracy, accountability, and public debate. However, it can be restricted by law in specific situations such as public order, security, morality, contempt of court, or incitement to an offence.
Article 19A: Right to Information
Citizens have the right to access information about public matters.
This helps people ask questions, check government performance, and demand transparency. Right to Information laws can be used to request records, budgets, policies, contracts, and decisions from public bodies.
Article 20: Freedom of Religion
Every person can profess, practice, and manage their religion, subject to law, public order, and morality.
Article 21: Protection from Religious Taxation
No person can be forced to pay a special tax used to promote a religion other than their own.
Article 22: Safeguards in Educational Institutions
No student should be forced to study or take part in religious instruction that does not belong to their own faith.
Article 23: Right to Acquire, Hold and Dispose of Property
Citizens can own, buy, sell, and use property, subject to law subject to legal restrictions in the public interest.
Article 24: Protection from Deprivation of Property
No one can be deprived of their property except according to law and compulsory acquisition must follow legal procedure and compensation rules.
Article 25: Equality of Citizens
All citizens are equal before the law and deserve equal protection. The Constitution also allows the State to make special laws and protections for women and children where needed.
Article 25A: Right to Education
Every child between the ages of 5 and 16 has the right to free and compulsory education, as provided by law.
Article 26: No Discrimination in Public Places
Citizens cannot be denied access to public places because of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
Article 27: No Discrimination in Public Employment
Citizens should not face discrimination in public sector jobs on prohibited grounds such as race, religion, caste, sex, residence, or place of birth.
This protects fairness in government recruitment, promotions, and service conditions.
Article 28: Preservation of Language, Script and Culture
Communities have the right to protect and promote their language, script, culture, and traditions.
Need Help Understanding Your Rights?
Our practical guides provide step-by-step information on specific topics like Nikah Nama, inheritance, and digital safety.