OBJECTIVES RESOLUTION

Adapted on: 12th March 1949

The objectives resolution is a permanent part of Constitution of Pakistan under Article 2(A).

Salient Features:

1. Sovereignty of Allah:

The sovereignty over the entire universe only belonged to Allah

Almighty alone and authority which He has delegated to the State of
Pakistan, through its people.

2. Democracy:

Power to rule in the country has been delegated by Allah Almighty

to the people and they should exercise the power strictly in accordance
with the divine injunctions. The authority to rule in the country will be
exercised through the representatives of the people.

3. Islamic Conduct of State:

Islamic principles of democracy, freedom, tolerance and social

justice shall be observed.

4. Promotion of Islamic way of Life:

The encouragement of Islamic way of life will be given to the

Muslims in order to facilitate the lives of people in

5. Safeguard of Minority Rights:

The non-Muslims will be provided all fundamental human rights,

particularly the rights of their religious and intellectual development.

6. Independence of Judiciary:

The functions of Judiciary will be allowed independently in the light

of teaching of Islam.

7. Safeguarding Fundamental Human Rights:

To protect the fundamental rights of every citizen in Pakistan, in the

shape of freedom, equality, and ownership of property, freedom of
expression, faith worship and formation of associations shall be exercised
for the promotion of their rights.
 1956 CONSTITUTION
Enforced on: 23rd March1956
Abrogated: 7th October 1958 (by Iskander Mirza)

SALIENT FEATURES:

1. Written Constitution:

The constitution of Pakistan was a written and lengthy document.

2. Rigid Constitution:

The constitution could only be amended through a proper system

through at least a two third majority of the parliament.

3. Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

The name of the country was adopted as “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.

4. Objectives Resolution:

The Objectives Resolution was included as introductory part of the

constitution.

5. Federal System:

The constitution of 1956 recognized the model of one Unit. It

provided for a federal system of government in the country and power
divided between the center and provinces.

6. Unicameral Legislature:

The unicameral legislature would consist of a single house. The

equal representation was given to East and West Pakistan in the National
Assembly. The National Assembly consisted of 300 members and 150
members were chosen from each wing.

7. Parliamentary System:

A parliamentary form of government was approved. In this form of

government, the President of Pakistan was the head of the State and
Prime Minister was the head of government.
8. President:

The president was required to be a Muslim of at least forty five (45)

years age. According to constitution, he could declare a State of
emergency in the country in case of internal or external threat.
Constitutionally, he has authorized to appoint the Governors of provinces,
the Judges of the Supreme Court, Auditor General and Advocate General
of Pakistan.

9. Prime Minister:

He was to be the leader of parliamentary party and indirectly

elected for five years. He could choose his cabinet from the members of
the National Assembly. The cabinet was answerable to the assembly.

10. Provincial Autonomy:

Provincial autonomy was confirmed in the constitution on a large scale.

11. Free Judiciary:

An independent judiciary would be established in the country. The

Supreme Court of Pakistan shall interpret the constitution and advise the
state whenever required.

12. Fundamental Rights:

The fundamental rights included freedom of movement, freedom of

speech and expression, freedom to choose profession and freedom to
confess religion, right to life, liberty and property.

13. Language:

Urdu and Bengali were declared as national languages.

Islamic Provisions of 1956 Constitution
1. Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

The name of the country was approved as “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.

2. Objectives Resolution:

Objectives Resolution was included as preamble part to the constitution.

3. Islamic Law:

No law would be passed against the teachings of the Islam.

4. Muslim President:

The President of Pakistan would be a Muslim.

5. Religious Freedom:

Religious Freedom to allow, practice and propagate any religion

and the right to establish, maintain and manage religious institution.

6. Teaching of the Holy Quran:

The teaching of Holy Quran to be made compulsory for all Muslims.

7. Slavery and Forced Labour:

The slavery and forced labour was prohibited in Islam.

8. Special Taxes:

No person shall be forced to pay any special taxes whose proceeds

were to be spent on the propagation of any religion.

9. Unity among the Muslim Countries:

The unity among Muslim countries was required to strengthen the

bonds of relations with other Muslims countries.

10. Organization for Islamic Research:

The President of Pakistan was required to set up an organization

for Islamic research and teaching in advanced studies and instruction
 1962 CONSTITUTION

Enforced on: 08th June 1962

Abrogated: 25th March 1969 (by Gen. Ayub Khan)

SALIENT FEATURES:

1. Written Constitution:

The constitution of 1962 was a written document. It consisted of

five schedules and 250 articles.

2. Rigid Constitution:

It was a rigid constitution of the country. It can only be amended

through a particular process. If an amendment to the constitution was
passed by at least two third majorities of the parliament and after
confirmation of the President, it would become a part of law.

3. Federal System:

A federal system of government was introduced in the country. It

consisted to central and provincial governments that comprising to East
and West Pakistan.

4. Presidential Form of Government:

In presidential form of government the President was the executive

head of the country. He was empowered to nominate the Ministers of his
cabinet.

5. Unicameral Legislature:

The legislature would consist of a single house. Both the wings of

the country were given equal representation in the National Assembly.
The National Assembly consisted of 300 members. The 150 members
were taken from each wing.

6. Indirect Method of Election:

The President was elected by an Electoral College comprising

80,000 Basic Democrats that were equally distributed between the two
provinces.
7. Provincial Government:

There were two provincial governments. Each of them was headed

by a Governor. The Governor enjoyed the veto powers in the province as
president enjoyed the power in the center. The Governor was empowered
to appoint Provincial Ministers with the approval of President of Pakistan.

8. Provincial Legislature:

Each Province has provided a legislature. Originally, it consisted of

150 members. However, later on the strength of members was increased
to 218.

9. Powers of President:

The1962 Constitution of Pakistan delegated the powers to

President for a five (05) year term. He was authorized to promulgate
ordinances and use his veto power against legislated laws. The laws could
only be enforced with two thirds majority of the National Assembly.
However, the President was not empowered to dissolve the Assembly.

10. Restrictions to the President:

The President was not permitted to hold any office of profit in the
service of Pakistan but not prevented from holding and managing private
property.

11. Islamic Law:

No Law would be passed against the teachings of Quran and Sunnah.

12. Fundamental Rights:

The Constitution of 1962 laid down fundamental rights of the citizen

i.e. free speech and expression, freedom to choose profession and
freedom to exercise religion.

13. Role of Judiciary:

The judiciary was responsible for the interpretation of laws and

executive orders in the light of principles embodied in a written
constitution.

14. Supreme Judicial Council:

A supreme judicial council consisted of two judges of Supreme
Court; Chief Justice of Supreme Court and two judges of high courts
Islamic Provisions of 1956 Constitution

1. Islamic Republic of Pakistan:

The name of the country was approved as “Islamic Republic of Pakistan”.

2. Objectives Resolution:

Objectives Resolution was included as preamble part to the constitution.

3. Islamic Law:

No law would be passed against the teachings of the Islam.

4. Muslim President:

The President of Pakistan would be a Muslim.

5. Religious Freedom:

Religious Freedom to allow, practice and propagate any religion

and the right to establish, maintain and manage religious institution.

6. Teaching of the Holy Quran:

The teaching of Holy Quran to be made compulsory for all Muslims.

7. Unity among the Muslim Countries:

The unity among Muslim countries was required to strengthen the

bonds of relations with other Muslims countries.

8. Islamic Institutions

The Islamic provision introduced an Advisory Council of Islamic

Ideology which was to be appointed by the President. Also, there shall be
an Institute to be known as “Islamic Research Institute”

9. Regulatory mechanism

Proper system of Zakat, Waqf and Mosques was adopted