ludUO

Freedom of association
Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions subject
to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of sovereignty
or integrity of Pakistan, public order or morality.
Constitution of Pakistan
Article 17
Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful ... association.
No one may be compelled to belong to an association.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 20(1,2)
Pakistan has ratified the key international instruments concerning freedom
of association. The documents ratified include the International Covenant on
Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and
Cultural Rights, and ILO Convention 87 concerning freedom of association
and protection of the right to organise. The constitution of Pakistan also
guarantees every citizen’s right to form associations. The ratifications
notwithstanding, there are many challenges in exercising the freedom, some
of which are rooted in law, but most of them in practice.
The freedom of association in Pakistan has seen many highs and lows.
Although the freedom has been denied most blatantly during military regimes,
several issues of concern have remained even at the best of times. The freedom
means much more than merely forming or joining trade unions. The entitlement
extends also to civil society organisations, charities or political parties. It
includes the right to operate freely and to be protected from undue interference,
141
State of Human Rights in 2012