Law study · For law students
Your fundamental rights in 9 flashcards.
In short
Quoted from the Constitution as amended up to the 27th Amendment, including Article 9A, the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
By the FAI Legal editorial desk · 10 October 2026 · 11 slides · 2 min read
Quick quiz. Arrested at 10 am.
Guess first, then swipe for the answer.
- A. 10 am Tuesday
- B. 10 am Wednesday
- C. Within 14 days
Answer: A. 24 hours.
Article 10(2). No magistrate's order, no further custody.
“Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before a magistrate within a period of twenty-four hours of such arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey … and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate.”
Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 · Article 10(2), Safeguards as to arrest and detention
Liberty. Cards 1 to 3.
Life, environment, fair trial.
- Life and libertyNo person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law. (Art. 9)
- EnvironmentEvery person is entitled to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. (Art. 9A)
- Fair trialA fair trial and due process, in civil rights and criminal charges. (Art. 10A)
Protection. Cards 4 to 6.
What the State cannot do.
- Double jeopardyNo one prosecuted or punished for the same offence more than once. (Art. 13(a))
- Self-incriminationNo accused compelled to be a witness against himself. (Art. 13(b))
- DignityDignity of man inviolable; no torture to extract evidence. (Art. 14)
Citizens. Cards 7 to 9.
Speech, information, equality.
- SpeechFreedom of speech and of the press, subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law. (Art. 19)
- InformationAccess to information in all matters of public importance. (Art. 19A)
- EqualityEqual before law; no discrimination on the basis of sex. (Art. 25)
Bonus cards.
Exam favourites.
- EducationFree and compulsory education for all children aged five to sixteen. (Art. 25A)
- PropertyNo person deprived of property save in accordance with law. (Art. 24(1))
- Void lawsAny law inconsistent with these rights is void to that extent. (Art. 8(1))
Myth or fact?
The emergency question.
- Myth: Fundamental rights can be suspended whenever the State wants.
- Fact: They shall not be suspended except as expressly provided by the Constitution (Art. 8(5)).
How to enforce them.
Article 199, Constitution.
- WritOn an aggrieved person's application, the High Court may give directions to enforce any fundamental right (Art. 199(1)(c)).
- Cannot be abridgedThe right to move a High Court for this shall not be abridged (Art. 199(2)).
- No suo motuThe High Court shall not go beyond the application filed (Art. 199(1A)).
Revise with FAI.
Ask FAI in your own words. It answers with the exact article and the leading judgments.
- Explain Article 10A with leading Supreme Court cases.
- Difference between Article 9 and Article 9A.
Example questions
What this does not mean
- Fundamental rights cannot be suspended at will. They shall not be suspended except as expressly provided by the Constitution (Art. 8(5)).
- Freedom of speech and of the press is subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law (Art. 19).
- The High Court enforces these rights on the application of an aggrieved person and cannot go beyond the application filed (Art. 199(1)(c), (1A)).
Questions people ask
Within how many hours must police produce an arrested person before a magistrate in Pakistan?
Within 24 hours of arrest, excluding the time needed for the journey. No further custody is allowed without the authority of a magistrate (Art. 10(2)).
What are the fundamental rights in the Constitution of Pakistan?
They include life and liberty (Art. 9), a clean environment (Art. 9A), fair trial (Art. 10A), protection against double jeopardy and self-incrimination (Art. 13), dignity (Art. 14), speech (Art. 19), information (Art. 19A) and equality (Art. 25).
What is Article 9A of the Constitution of Pakistan?
It says every person is entitled to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.
Can fundamental rights be suspended in Pakistan?
Only as expressly provided by the Constitution (Art. 8(5)). Any law inconsistent with these rights is void to that extent (Art. 8(1)).
How can I enforce my fundamental rights in Pakistan?
An aggrieved person can apply to the High Court, which may give directions to enforce any fundamental right (Art. 199(1)(c)). The right to move the High Court for this shall not be abridged (Art. 199(2)).
Sources
- Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 · Article 10(2)
Safeguards as to arrest and detention Pakistan Code
Educational legal information, not legal advice. Every case turns on its own facts. Speak to a qualified lawyer about your situation. Review status: Pending advocate review. How we check.
