Community Awareness of Legal Rights under the Constitution of Pakistan

Abstract

Understanding citizens' constitutional rights is essential to promoting civic involvement, social justice, and equal access to legal protections in Pakistan. Despite constitutional protections, public awareness of rights under the law is lacking, especially in rural and marginalized communities. This study was designed to evaluate community awareness of the legal rights outlined in the Constitution of Pakistan, identify demographic characteristics that affect awareness of these rights, and gain insights into the barriers to the practice of these rights.  A mixed methods design with a convergent parallel strategy was used. Quantitative data were collected from 300 participants using a structured questionnaire, and qualitative data were collected from 25 purposefully selected participants who completed semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and with chi-square tests, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic approaches. Approximately 70% of participants demonstrated some awareness of constitutional rights, although awareness was higher among individuals with higher education or those living in urban settings. Barriers to awareness and participation were a lack of awareness, bureaucratic loopholes, corruption, and social pressure from family. The sources of information for participants were educational institutions, social media, and family.  Legal awareness and legal literacy remain only partially present, and participants have not been educated, reached, or affected by awareness campaigns, policies, and initiatives for rights recognition through the practice and exercise of their rights.