Text of the Constitution:
(1) Slavery is non-existent and forbidden and no law shall permit or facilitate its introduction into Pakistan in any form.
(2) All forms of forced labour and traffic in human beings are prohibited.
(3) No child below the age of fourteen years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any other hazardous employment.(4) Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to affect compulsory service:
Provided that no compulsory service shall be of a cruel nature or incompatible with human dignity.
What It Means:
Article 11 is clear about the complete prohibition of slavery, human trafficking, and forced labour under the rule of law in Pakistan. It reiterates the non-negotiable abolition of slavery and bonded labour in any shape or form, and protects children under the age of 14 from working in hazardous conditions, such as factories or mines. While the article acknowledges the possibility of imposition of compulsory service, it clarifies that it must respect human dignity and must not be cruel.
Application to Pakistan Today:
Despite their clear prohibition in the constitution, bonded labour, human trafficking, and forced work etc. continue to be a vital concern in Pakistan. From human trafficking across borders through illegal, though popular, means like Dunki, to forced underage labour in households, cruel labour practices continue. Highly profitable industries such as carpet weaving, sports equipment manufacturing, and the informal sector as whole are the main perpetrators of these illegal activities. Article 11 provides the grounds to contest these practices through the justice system.