Principles of Policy in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973: The State’s To-Do List
Chapter 2 of Part II — Articles 29 to 40 — is the part of the Constitution that tells the state what kind of country to build: Islamic provisions, social justice, education for all, the well-being of the people. But unlike the fundamental rights in Articles 8–28, the Principles of Policy cannot be enforced in any court. This guide explains what they require, why they matter anyway, and how examiners test them.
Quick answer: The Principles of Policy (Articles 29–40 of the Constitution of Pakistan) are directive goals — Islamic way of life, social justice, education, public welfare — that the state must follow in making policy. Under Article 30 they are not enforceable in court, unlike the fundamental rights in Articles 8–28.
In this guide
Articles 29 to 40 at a glance
| Article | Principle | |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Principles of Policy: the state shall be guided by them; conformity of laws with Islamic injunctions. | |
| 30 | Responsibility with respect to Principles of Policy — and their non-enforceability. | |
| 31 | Islamic way of life: Qur’anic education, Islamic moral standards. | |
| 32 | Promotion of local government institutions. | |
| 33 | Parochial, racial, tribal, sectarian and provincial hatreds to be discouraged. | |
| 34 | Full participation of women in national life. | |
| 35 | Protection of family, mother and child. | |
| 36 | Safeguard of minorities’ legitimate rights and interests. | |
| 37 | Promotion of social justice; eradication of social evils (illiteracy, gambling, drugs). | |
| 38 | Promotion of social and economic well-being: food, clothing, housing, education, medical relief, employment. | |
| 39 | Participation of people in the armed forces. | |
| 40 | Strengthening bonds with the Muslim world; international peace and security. |
Why non-enforceable principles still matter
Three reasons. First, Article 29(3) obliges every organ of the state to be guided by the principles in policy-making — they are the Constitution’s statement of national purpose. Second, courts use them as interpretive aids: where a law is ambiguous, the reading consistent with the Principles of Policy is preferred. Third, they are political accountability tools — opposition, media and voters can measure governments against the goals the Constitution itself set.
The classic illustration is Article 38’s promise of the necessities of life. No citizen can sue for a house or a job under it — but a policy that deliberately widened inequality would be constitutionally suspect in spirit, and legislators debate budgets in its language every year.
The Islamic provisions: Articles 29 and 31
Article 29(2) requires that the validity of laws be judged by their conformity with Islamic injunctions as laid down in the Qur’an and Sunnah — operationalised through the Council of Islamic Ideology (Article 228) and the Federal Shariat Court. Article 31 commits the state to enabling Muslims to order their lives by Islamic principles, including compulsory Qur’anic teaching and the promotion of Islamic moral standards. These sit alongside Article 2 (Islam as state religion), covered in our Article 2 guide.
The exam answer in one paragraph
Write this: “The Principles of Policy (Articles 29–40) are the directive, non-justiciable goals of the state under Chapter 2 of Part II. Unlike fundamental rights (Articles 8–28), they cannot be enforced in court (Article 30), but the state must be guided by them (Article 29). They cover the Islamic way of life, local government, women’s participation, social justice, economic well-being and foreign policy — the ceiling toward which the state must climb, while fundamental rights are the floor below which it may not fall.”
Frequently asked questions
What are the Principles of Policy in the Constitution of Pakistan?
Articles 29–40 of the 1973 Constitution: directive goals including the Islamic way of life, local government, women’s participation, social justice, economic well-being and peaceful foreign relations.
Are the Principles of Policy enforceable in court?
No. Article 30 expressly provides that no action or law can be questioned on the ground that it is not in accordance with the Principles of Policy. They guide the state but create no suable rights.
What is the difference between fundamental rights and Principles of Policy?
Fundamental rights (Articles 8–28) are justiciable and enforceable through the courts; the Principles of Policy (Articles 29–40) are non-justiciable goals the state must pursue in policy-making.
