Do you know your rights as a human? Being a citizen of any country leads to one legally and constitutionally having access to human rights. Similar is the case with Pakistan. Here are some fundamental rights the Constitution of Pakistan provides and you should know about:
- Every citizen has the right to exercise freedom of speech, and expression, unless it violates state sovereignty or the Islamic foundation of the nation. This right also extends to freedom of the press and the right of citizens to have access to unbiased information.
- All citizens have the right to practice and propagate their religion. This legal protection extends to all sects having the right to manage their religious institutions and religious minorities.
- All citizens of Pakistan have the right to equal treatment, irrespective of their gender, wealth status, or region, making protection against discrimination a fundamental human right.
- Citizens have the right to free and compulsory basic education for 3 to 16 years old.
- All citizens have the right to their life and property. According to the law, no one can be deprived of their life, and no legal property can be detained against the holder’s will.
- All citizens have the right to a fair trial and due process in case of arrest or criminal charges and cannot be detained without providing the grounds for arrest.
- All citizens of Pakistan have the right to be protected against slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking legally.
- Child citizens have the protection right from child labor.
- All citizens of Pakistan have the right to protection against torture for any purpose, even for extracting evidence.
- Citizens also have the right to free movement and settlement across any part of Pakistan, with no restrictions on mobility, unless the person is required to be present somewhere, such as in a case trial, by law.
- All citizens have the right to employment, business, trade, and joining an association or political party if within the legal bounds of the constitution.
- Citizens have the right to be part of educational institutions that do not involve forceful participation in religious ceremonies and worship.
- Women have the right to full participation in all national life, be it politics, business, or the corporate sector.
- Citizens also have the right to familial protection, be it protection of marriage, the family, the mother, and the child.
- Minorities have the right to representation in federal and provincial services.
- Citizens also have the right to protection against forceful participation in drug use, gambling, pornography, and prostitution. These acts are deemed illegal according to the constitution of Pakistan.
- Citizens also have the protection right against forced and child marriages, with the legal age of marriage for males being 18 and for females being 16. Taking consent from both is a requirement.
Knowing your human rights is vital. Fundamental human rights also provide you basic human safety and awareness to ask for your rights.
