Civic responsibilities & rights

as citizens
 Definitions
 Citizen means: "a productive, responsible, caring and
contributing member of society.“
 Civic Responsibility - "responsibility of a citizen“
 Rights:
Ordinary rights: Right to eat & drink, right to sleep, right
to earn, right to think etc.
Fundamental or inalienable rights: Are usually defined
as the absolute rights that a citizen of a country possesses that
cannot, under the majority of circumstances, be taken from the
citizen. Sometimes, more loosely called the human rights.

These rights are mainly those stated in legal rulings or international

laws. Many countries state these rights in their Constitutions.
 Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of
Pakistan, 1973
 There are following Fundamental Rights under Articles 8-28 of Chapter I, Part
II of the Constitution:

1. Security of person
2. Safeguards as to arrest and detention
3. Right to fair trial:
4. Slavery, forced labour, etc. prohibited
5. Protection against retrospective punishment
6. Protection against double punishment and self incrimination
7. Inviolability of dignity of man, etc.
8. Freedom of movement, etc.
9. Freedom of assembly
10. Freedom of association
11. Freedom of trade, business or profession
12. Freedom of speech, etc.
13. Right to information:
 Fundamental Rights under the Constitution of
Pakistan, 1973.. Contd.

14.Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions

15.Safeguard against taxation for purposes of any particular religion
16.Safeguards as to educational institutions in respect of religion, etc.
17. Provision as to property
18. Protection of property rights
19. Equality of citizens
20. Right to education:[25A.  —The State shall provide free and compulsory
education to all children of the age of five to sixteen years in such manner as
may be determined by law.]
21. Non-discrimination in respect of access to public places.
22. Safeguard against discrimination in services.
23. Preservation of language, script and culture.
 Fundamental Rights under the Indian
Constitution
 There are the following nine fundamental rights recognized by the Indian
Constitution:
I. Right to equality: Which includes equality before law, prohibition of
discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, gender or place of birth,
and equality of opportunity in matters of employment, abolition of
untouchability and abolition of titles.
II. Right to freedom
III. Right against exploitation
IV. Right to freedom of religion
V. Cultural and Educational rights
VI. Right to constitutional remedies (When any of our rights are violated,
we can seek remedy through courts. If it is a Fundamental Right, we can
directly approach the Supreme Court or the High Court of a state.)
VII. Right to life
VIII.Right to education
IX. Right to Information
 A Citizen’s Legal Duties
As citizens, we have duties – things that we are required to
do by law:
1.Obey the Law
- Serve specific purposes, such as to help people get along, prevent
accidents, and see that resources are used fairly.
2. Pay Taxes
- Government uses tax money to pay police, pave roads, and
maintain armed forces.
3.Defend the country
Each person is required by law to defend the country if and when
required. In most countries all men aged 18-25 must register with
the government in case the country needs.
4.Serve in Court
- Every adult citizen must be prepared to serve on a jury or as a
witness at a trial if called to do so.
 Every adult citizen must be prepared to give
evidence in the Court of law.

5. Attend School
Most countries require young people to attend
school until the age of 16.
6. Religious Duties:
a. Praying,
b. Fasting,
c. Hajj,
d. Zakat,
e. Jihad and host of so many things
7. Duties at workplace
 Civic responsibilities
 Voluntary: - They are fulfilled by choice.
 Variation in civilized societies is due to:
a. Education and awareness of rights and duties.
b. Institutions are in place.
c. People know what the government is doing so that they can voice their opinion.
d. People respect public property and the rights and property
of others.
e. People respect diversity. Although they may disagree with other people or
disapprove of their lifestyles, they have an equal right to their beliefs and practices ;
f. People tolerate: means respect and accept others, regardless of their beliefs,
practices, or differences.
 Some examples of civic irresponsibilities in
Pakistan
 Noise:
a. Indiscreet use of loud speakers for political and
advertising purposes.
b. Indiscreet use of loud speakers in mosques and at
religious occasions.
c. Use of motorcycles without silencers.
d. Indiscreet firing on festivities.
e. Indiscreet fire works on festivities.
f. Indiscreet live music and other music at functions.
g. Indiscreet use of vehicular horns (sometimes pressure
horns).
h. Loud talking especially on telephones.
 Garbage/sewer disposal:
 a. Littering through windows of vehicles.
b. Littering while walking on roads & pathways.
c. Indiscreet disposal of domestic garbage.
d. Indiscreet disposal of garbage on Eid ul Azha.
e. Indiscreet disposal of plastic bags and materials.
f. Indiscreet disposal and indifference towards
sewer flowing in streets.
 Air pollution:

 a. Burning of garbage and garden leaves etc.

b. Burning of tyres for protesting in rallies.
c. Vehicular emissions.
d. Industrial and kilns emissions.
Personal attitude in public life
1. Not forming queues and jumping from queues.
2. Pushing people in rush places.
3. Rushing at dining tables when khana (food) is
opened at weddings.
4. Not caring that others have also to eat.
5. Forgetting the motto of “ladies first” for
anything to offer.
6. Saying “thank you” and “excuse me” at
appropriate times.
7. Not smiling and being pleasant and helpful to
clients.
8. Not being helpful to senior citizens and strangers.
 Personal attitude in public life
9. Not being on time for any function and then not
being apologetic.
10. Not showing courtesy to others and particularly
the
females.
11. Not abiding the traffic rules and regulations.
12. Driving irresponsibly.
13. One wheeling.
 Personal hygiene and looks
 Appropriate dressing.
 Body odour.
 Bad mouth smell.
 Tidiness at workplace.
 Giving a clean and smart look to your face.
Image of a motorcyclist
 Civic sense
 It is a consideration for the unspoken norms of society
by the people for the people.
 Civic sense is not just about keeping public property
like roads and streets clean; it is much more than that.
 Civic sense has also to do with civil behavior - law-
abiding, respect for fellow beings’ rights, maintaining
decorum in public places – in short, being a
responsible citizen.
 Many countries function smoothly and are clean
because of the strong civic sense that is habitually and
routinely present in their citizens.
Thank you