Fundamental Rights of Citizens in Pakistan – Updated Guide 2025

Understanding the Fundamental Rights of Citizens in Pakistan is essential for every individual. These rights, granted under the Constitution of Pakistan, protect personal freedom, ensure equality, and promote justice across the nation. This comprehensive 2025 guide outlines each right, recent legal amendments, and ongoing challenges.

What Are Fundamental Rights in Pakistan?

Fundamental rights are constitutionally guaranteed protections outlined in Part II of the Constitution (Articles 8–28). They safeguard civil liberties, ensure social justice, and limit the power of the state over individuals.

List of Fundamental Rights in Pakistan

Right	Article	Description
Right to Life and Liberty	Article 9	No one shall be deprived of life or liberty except in accordance with law
Inviolability of Human Dignity	Article 14	Respect and protection of human dignity; prohibition of torture
Freedom of Movement	Article 15	Right to move freely within the country
Freedom of Assembly	Article 16	Right to hold peaceful gatherings
Freedom of Association	Article 17	Right to form unions, associations, and political parties
Freedom of Profession and Trade	Article 18	Right to choose any lawful profession or business
Freedom of Speech and Expression	Article 19	Right to express opinions within legal limits
Right to Information	Article 19A	Public access to government-held information
Freedom of Religion	Articles 20–22	Right to profess, practice, and propagate religion
Right to Education	Article 25A	Free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 16
Equality Before Law	Article 25	Equal protection and treatment under the law
Non-Discrimination	Articles 26–28	Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of sex, religion, race, or ethnicity
Right to Property	Article 23	Right to acquire, hold, and dispose of property
Protection Against Arrest	Article 10	Right to legal safeguards and fair trial

Recent Developments (2024–2025)

26th Constitutional Amendment (2024)

Article 9A Added: Right to a clean and healthy environment made a constitutional right
Judicial Reforms Introduced: Term limit for Chief Justice, increased parliamentary oversight in judicial appointments
Financial Reforms: Steps to eliminate interest (riba) from the economy by 2028

Judicial Interpretations and Key Cases

Asghar Leghari v. Federation: Recognized environmental rights under Article 9
Lahore High Court (2024): Declared the new Article 9A as fully enforceable
Adeel Akhtar Case (2023): Interpreted the right to life to include access to healthcare
Rights of Informal Workers: Protection under forced labor and equality clauses extended to the informal sector

Emerging Challenges in 2025

PECA Amendments: Increased penalties for spreading misinformation online, raising concerns about freedom of expression
Punjab Defamation Law: Criticized by journalist bodies for criminalizing dissent
Judicial Autonomy Debate: Amendments to the judicial appointment process under scrutiny for undermining independence

Limitations and Areas for Reform

Despite advancements, several critical rights remain underdeveloped or partially protected:

Right to Health: Not yet a fully recognized constitutional right
Social Protection: Still guided by policy principles rather than enforceable constitutional mandates
Digital Rights: Increased regulation may impact free speech online

Conclusion

The Fundamental Rights of Citizens in Pakistan are the cornerstone of democracy and civil liberty. The 2025 updates, including environmental protection and judicial reforms, mark a turning point in constitutional rights. However, concerns remain over free expression, digital freedom, and the scope of judicial independence. Continuous awareness and legal vigilance are essential to preserve and expand these rights. Stay tuned with Bloom Pakistan