Enforcement gap refers to the inconsistency between established rules and principles and their actual realisation, leading to the situation where recognised rights and standards are violated. Pakistan's constitutional framework guarantees a strong foundation for human rights, including the Right to life (Article 9), Dignity (Article 14) and Equality (Article 25) in Chapter I Part II of the Constitution. But apart from domestic guarantees, Pakistan has also signed several international human rights treaties and conventions such as International covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Convention Against Torture (CAT), Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). By ratifying these conventions, Pakistan has vowed to systematise its domestic legal system with international human rights standards. However, despite these commitments, an enforcement gap remains. Pakistan recognises rights on paper, but implementation in courts lags.

Pakistan has ratified several international conventions on human rights. Due to the legally binding obligation under international law, Pakistan has incorporated international commitments into domestic laws such as Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2012, Protection Against Harassment of Women at the Workplace Act 2010, Criminal Law (Offenses Relating to Honour Killing) Act 2016, Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2021, Anti-Rape (Investigation and Trial) Act 2021 and Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention and Punishment) Act 2022. While ratification has........

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