Fundamental Rights under Constitution of Pakistan 1973
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.474Keywords:
Fundamental Rights, Judicial Enforcement, Fair Trial, Right to Education, Minority Rights, Gender Equality, Constitutional ReformAbstract
The Constitution of Pakistan 1973 guarantees fundamental rights to every citizen under Articles 8 to 28. These rights cover civil, political, and socio-economic dimensions of human dignity and freedom. Despite this comprehensive constitutional framework, a deep and persistent gap exists between rights on paper and rights in practice. This study critically examines the fundamental rights chapter as an integrated legal framework rather than a collection of isolated provisions. It analyzes the role of superior courts in interpreting and enforcing these rights, assesses the structural impact of the 18th Constitutional Amendment, and identifies the legal, institutional, and social barriers preventing full rights realization for women, minorities, and marginalized groups. Using qualitative research methods and doctrinal legal analysis, this study draws on peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2020 and 2025 alongside official constitutional and judicial sources. The findings reveal that judicial inconsistency, weak implementation mechanisms, and structural inequalities collectively undermine constitutional guarantees.
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