In Pakistan, the relationship between the police and the public is often viewed through a lens of fear or mistrust. However, the law actually mandates a relationship built on service, protection, and courtesy. For law students and conscious citizens alike, understanding the Police Order, 2002 is essential. Specifically, Articles 3, 4, and 5 lay the foundation for how a police officer acts, what their legal duties are, and how they must function during emergencies. In this guide, we break down these articles into simple, easy-to-understand language. Article 3: Attitude and Responsibilities Towards the Public Before discussing arrests and investigations, the law focuses on behavior. Article 3 dictates the "soft skills" required of every police officer. It transforms the image of the police from a "force" to a "service." According to Article 3, every police officer has a duty to: Be Polite: Officers must behave with decor...

Category: Pakistani Laws / Police Order 2002 Reading Time: 4 Minutes When we talk about law enforcement in Pakistan, the Police Order, 2002 is the most critical piece of legislation to understand. It completely replaced the colonial-era Police Act of 1861, marking a massive shift in how the police are supposed to function—moving from a "force" used to rule, to a "service" designed to help. Whether you are a law student (LL.B), a CSS/PMS aspirant, or a citizen wanting to know your rights, understanding the foundation of this law is essential. In this post, we will break down the Preamble (Introduction/Purpose) and Article 1 of the Police Order, 2002 to understand why it was created and where it applies. The Preamble: Why Was the Police Order, 2002 Enacted? Every major law begins with a preamble. Think of the preamble as the "Mission Statement" of the law. It tells us the intent of the lawmakers. The Preamble of...

The Law Student’s Dilemma: It’s Not Just "Signing a Paper" I still remember the first time I tried to map out the legislative process for my Constitutional Law exam. In my head, it was simple: The National Assembly passes a bill, the Senate agrees, the President signs it, and voila —we have a law. But then I opened the Constitution of Pakistan , specifically approaching Article 75, and realized reality is much messier. What if the President doesn't like the bill? What if he just sits on it and does nothing? What happens to a bill if the government suddenly dissolves for early elections? And wait, can the Prime Minister just announce a new tax on TV? These aren’t just exam questions; they are the mechanics of how our country functions. For any law student—or any citizen trying to understand their rights—Articles 75, 76, and 77 are the engine room of democracy. They define the power struggle between the President and Parliament, the lifesp...

Category: Constitutional Law | Read Time: 6 Minutes The "Power of the Purse": A Student's Perspective As law students, we spend a lot of time reading about the balance of power between institutions. But nothing tests that balance quite like money. Every year around June, when the Federal Budget is presented in Pakistan, you’ll notice the political temperature rising. You might hear Senators complaining that their recommendations were ignored, or opposition members shouting in the National Assembly. When I first started studying Constitutional Law, I found financial procedure confusing. Why does the National Assembly have so much more power than the Senate when it comes to money? Why can't a private member just propose a bill to print more currency? The answers lie in Article 73 and Article 74 of the Constitution of Pakistan. These aren't just dry procedural rules; they determine who holds the "wallet" of the nation. Let’s break these down fr...

As law students, we spend a lot of time studying the National Assembly and the Senate as separate entities. We know how a bill passes in one and goes to the other. But have you ever wondered what happens when the two Houses disagree? I used to find the procedural rules boring until I realized their significance. Article 72 isn't just about boring rules; it is the referee's handbook for when our Parliament locks horns. It explains exactly who sits in the chair and how decisions are made when the National Assembly and Senate meet together. In this post, we are going to dissect Article 72 of the Constitution of Pakistan . We will look at the raw text, break it down into simple English, and look at a practical example to see how it works in real life. Understanding the Context: Why a Joint Sitting? Before we read the article, we need to understand the "Why." Pakistan has a bicameral legislature (two houses). Sometimes, the National Assembly passes a bill, but ...