Implications of Article 18 of the Pakistan Constitution: Evaluating Landmark Judgements of the Supreme Court

Abstract

This research examines Article 18 of the Pakistan Constitution, focusing on the freedom of trade, business, and profession. It evaluates landmark Supreme Court judgments to assess the balance between individual economic rights and state regulation. Using doctrinal analysis, the study highlights the qualified nature of economic freedoms, the scope of judicial review, and implications for regulatory frameworks and public welfare policies. Article 18 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan guarantees the freedom of trade, business, and profession subject to qualifications prescribed by law. This article analyses the constitutional text, the doctrinal scope of Article 18, and the major interpretations and implications arising from Supreme Court jurisprudence. The discussion encompasses how the apex court has balanced constitutional freedoms with state regulatory authority, the scope of judicial review in economic rights, and the broader constitutional and socio‑economic effects. The article concludes with reflections on gaps and future directions for jurisprudence under Article 18.