Fundamental Rights under Constitution of Pakistan 1973


Abstract views: 5 / PDF downloads: 5

Authors

  • Zahid Shaukat University of The Punjab Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.474

Keywords:

Fundamental Rights, Judicial Enforcement, Fair Trial, Right to Education, Minority Rights, Gender Equality, Constitutional Reform

Abstract

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.

References

Ahmed, N. (2021). A critical analysis of fundamental rights under the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. Journal of Political Studies, 28(1), 11–21.

Ahmed, S. (2020). Freedom of expression and press under Pakistan's Constitution 1973. RC Research Archive Journal of Law, 3(1), 1–18.

AllahRakha, N. (2024). UNESCO’s AI ethics principles: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Law and Policy, 2(9), 24–36. https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.225

Anwar, T., Ali, M., & Jamshed, U. (2023). The 18th Amendment: Revival of Pakistan as a federal state. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 4(2), 357–366. https://doi.org/10.47205/jdss.2023(4-II)31

Asghar, M., & Hussain, N. (2022). Implementation challenges to women protection laws in Pakistan. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 5(1), 273–279.

Baig, Z., & Naseer, M. (2023). The eighteenth amendment at trial in Pakistan's Supreme Court. Indian Law Review, 7(3), 387–402.

Bora, P. (2022). State and human rights violation: Major areas of rights violations in 21st-century Pakistan. Journal of Political Studies, 30(3), 45–61.

Hassan, R. (2021). Constitutional limitations on freedom of expression in Pakistan. Journal of Law and Society, 12(2), 55–70.

Imran, M., & Ashraf, A. (2022). Eighteenth amendment in the Constitution of Pakistan and fundamental rights. Journal of Political Studies, 29(1), 1–18.

Imran, S., & Kazmi, L. A. (2025). The rule of law crisis and its implications on national security in Pakistan. Journal of Political Studies, 32(1), 1–15.

Jamali, N. H., Yi, Y., Wu, H., Khoso, A. G., Mahar, W. F., & Bano, A. (2024). A comparative analysis of the right to a fair trial in Pakistan in context with ICCPR's set out standards. Beijing Law Review, 15, 231–245.

Khalid, I., & Anwar, M. (2018). Minorities under the constitution(s) of Pakistan. Journal of the Research Society of Pakistan, 55(2), 51–62.

Khan, B. (2021). Comparing fundamental rights in Islamic law and Pakistan constitutional law perspective. Journal of Islamic and Comparative Law, 7(1), 1–22.

Khan, M. I., & Riaz, N. (2024). The concept of fair trial in Pakistan: A comprehensive examination of implementation and global recognition. Traditional Journal of Law and Social Sciences, 3(1), 29–35.

Manzar, S. (2022). A concoction of powers: The jurisprudential development of Article 184(3) and its procedural requirements. LUMS Law Journal, 9(1), 1–35.

Muzaffar, M., Fern, Y. S., & Yaseen, Z. (2024). Good governance and citizen's trust in Pakistan: A moderation effect of unethical behavior. Asian Journal of Human Services, 26, 91–108.

Shaikh, K. (2022). The right to fair trial in Pakistan: An analysis of its implementation and international recognition. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4526164

Zubair, M., Haider, S. I., & Khattak, F. (2023). The implementation challenges to women protection laws in Pakistan. Journal of Development and Social Sciences, 5(1), 273–279.

Published

2026-03-30

How to Cite

Shaukat, Z. (2026). Fundamental Rights under Constitution of Pakistan 1973. International Journal of Law and Policy, 4(3), 44–62. https://doi.org/10.59022/ijlp.474

Issue

Section

Articles