Articles 8 to 28 of the Constitution of Pakistan: The Full List, Explained
Articles 8 to 28 are Chapter 1 of Part II of the Constitution — the complete bill of rights of Pakistan. Below is every article in order, with a plain-English explanation of what it guarantees and where its limits lie. For deeper dives on individual articles, see the fundamental rights hub.
Quick answer: Articles 8–28 of the Constitution of Pakistan list the fundamental rights: Article 8 voids inconsistent laws; Articles 9–14 protect life, liberty, fair trial, dignity and due process; Articles 15–22 the freedoms of movement, assembly, speech, religion and information; Articles 23–28 property, equality, education and culture.
The complete list
| Article | Title | Core guarantee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Laws inconsistent with fundamental rights to be void | Supremacy of rights over legislation. | |
| 9 | Security of person | Life and liberty only by due process of law. | |
| 9A | Right to clean, healthy and sustainable environment | Standalone environmental right (2024). | |
| 10 | Safeguards as to arrest and detention | Grounds, counsel, magistrate within 24 hours. | |
| 10A | Right to fair trial | Due process in every trial (2010). | |
| 11 | Slavery, etc. prohibited | No slavery, forced labour; no hazardous child labour. | |
| 12 | Protection against retrospective punishment | No punishment for acts lawful when done. | |
| 13 | Protection against double punishment and self-incrimination | No double jeopardy. | |
| 14 | Inviolability of dignity of man | Dignity inviolable, subject to law. | |
| 15 | Freedom of movement, etc. | Move, reside and settle anywhere in Pakistan. | |
| 16 | Freedom of assembly | Peaceful assembly without arms. | |
| 17 | Freedom of association | Associations, unions and political parties. | |
| 18 | Freedom of trade, business or profession | Any lawful occupation. | |
| 19 | Freedom of speech, etc. | Speech and press with reasonable restrictions. | |
| 19A | Right to information | Access to public information (2010). | |
| 20 | Freedom to profess religion and manage religious institutions | Religious freedom subject to law and order. | |
| 21 | Safeguard against taxation for purposes of any particular religion | No religion-specific taxes. | |
| 22 | Safeguards as to educational institutions in respect of religion, etc. | No forced religious instruction or worship. | |
| 23 | Provision as to property | Acquire, hold and dispose of property. | |
| 24 | Protection of property rights | No taking without law; compensation for public acquisition. | |
| 25 | Equality of citizens | Equal before law; affirmative provisions allowed. | |
| 25A | Right to education | Free compulsory education, ages 5–16 (2010). | |
| 26 | Non-discrimination in respect of access to public places | Equal access to public resorts. | |
| 27 | Safeguard against discrimination in services | No discrimination in public appointments. | |
| 28 | Preservation of language, script and culture | Communities’ cultural rights. |
The pattern examiners want you to see
The chapter has an architecture. Articles 8–14 are the protective rights (life, liberty, dignity, due process). Articles 15–22 are the liberties (movement, assembly, speech, religion). Articles 23–28 are the equality and property rights. And Article 8 sits above all of them as the enforcement guarantee. In essay answers, grouping them this way shows structural understanding rather than rote listing.
Which articles were added later
The 1973 original ran Articles 8–28 without 9A, 10A, 19A or 25A. The 18th Amendment (April 2010) inserted 10A, 19A and 25A. The 26th Amendment (October 2024) inserted 9A. When quoting, cite the amendment — it demonstrates that you are working from the current constitutional text, not a pre-2010 copy.
Frequently asked questions
How many articles cover fundamental rights in Pakistan?
Articles 8 to 28 — 21 articles in Chapter 1 of Part II of the Constitution, including four added by later amendments (10A, 19A, 25A in 2010; 9A in 2024).
What is the most important article among 8 to 28?
Article 8, because it makes all the others supreme over ordinary law: any inconsistent law is void. Substantively, Articles 9 (life and liberty) and 25 (equality) are the most litigated.
