The august Supreme Court took cognizance holding that it was a case of public importance for the enforcement of fundamental rights regarding bonded labour practices. In this case, which is reported as Darshan Masih alias Rehmatay and others v. The State (PLD 1990 SC 513), 10 the Court declared bonded labour unconstitutional and directed the government to introduce legislation to stamp it out. Consequent thereupon the Parliament enacted Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1992 (herein referred to as the “Abolition Act”), which abolished the bonded labour throughout Pakistan, discharged bonded labourers from obligation of bondness and put an end to outstanding loans. It also criminalized employment by way of bonded labour and various other acts ancillary thereto. Subsequently, it also framed Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Rules, 1995, for carrying out the purposes of the Abolition Act. By virtue of the Eighteenth Amendment in the Constitution the subject on which this statute was enacted devolved on the provinces. Thereupon the province of Punjab adopted it by the Punjab Bonded Labour System (Abolition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, with certain amendments.
Part Of Judgment
Lahore High Court
Writ Petition-Criminal Proceedings-Detention/habeas
409-20
2020 LHC 200
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