Article 10A: Right to Free Trial
Text of the Constitution:
For the determination of his civil rights and obligations or in any criminal charge against him a person shall be entitled to a fair trial and due process.
What It Means:
Article 10A was inserted in the constitution through the 18th amendment in 2010, codifying the right to fair trial and due process as a fundamental right. It reiterates that every person, regardless of the nature of the trial (civil/criminal) reserves the right to be granted a fair and impartial hearing before an independent and competent court or tribunal. This includes access to legal representation, a chance to present one’s case, timely hearings, and a reasoned decision.
For You:
In contemporary Pakistan, Article 10A acts as a shield against unfair trials, secret proceedings, delays in justice, and military court convictions without proper legal safeguards.