New Beginnings: Pakistan after 1947- LP -1- 40

Appendix 1- Objective Resolution and Constitutional History of Pakistan

What is a constitution?

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles, laws, and regulations for a country. It serves as the
supreme law of a country. Constitutions can be written or unwritten.

Why was there a need to have a constitution in Pakistan?

The need for a constitution in Pakistan arose primarily due to the following reasons:
● To define the relationship between the state and its citizens
● To establish a system of government
● To provide a legal basis for governance
● To ensure stability and continuity .

What is Objective Resolution 1949 ?

Objective Resolution is:

● A historical document adopted from the Indian Act 1935 and Independence Act 1947
● Adopted by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on March 12, 1949
● Presented by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan
● Passed by the assembly as a resolution.
● It laid down the fundamental principles and objectives of the future constitution of Pakistan.
● It declared that sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Allah.
● The principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice, as enunciated by
Islam, would be the guiding principles of the future constitution.

What are the Principles of Objective Resolution:

The principles of the objective resolution reflects a balance between Islamic and democratic values. It laid
down the following principles:
1. Sovereignty belongs to Allah.
2. Principles of democracy, including the rule of law, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and equality
before the law to be followed.
3. Social justiceto be followed.
4. Islamic values to be followed including the principles of unity, faith, and discipline.
5. Promotion of Tolerance and non-discrimination to be followed regardless of religion, race, caste, or
creed.
6. It affirmed the federal character of the Pakistani state and recognized the importance of regional
autonomy.

Constitutional History of Pakistan:

1. Objective Resolution 1949

2. The Constitution of 1956
3. The Constitution of 1956
4. The Constitution of 1956
 New Beginnings: Pakistan after 1947- LP -1- 40
Appendix 2: Comparative analysis of all constitutions of Pakistan.
Similarities
1. Government type: All the
constitutions of Pakistan
established a federal
parliamentary democratic
republic system of government.
2. Islam as State religion: All
constitutions of Pakistan
declared Islam as the state
religion of the country.
3. Fundamental rights: All
constitutions guaranteed
fundamental rights to the citizens
of Pakistan. These include the
right to life, liberty, and property;
freedom of speech, religion, and
assembly; and equality before the
law.
4. Provincial autonomy: Different
constitutions of Pakistan
provided varying levels of
autonomy to the provinces. The
1973 constitution provides the
most significant level of
provincial autonomy.
Differences
❖ The Constitution of 1956
❖ Pakistan's first constitution with 234 articles
❖ Declares Pakistan as an Islamic republic.
❖ Modeled after the British parliamentary system
and provided for a unicameral legislature.
❖ Both Urdu and Bengali were made official
languages of Pakistan.
❖ Duration of the constitution was 2 years as
Martial Law was imposed by G.Muhammad
Ayub Khan.
The Constitution of 1962
❖ Pakistan's second constitution with 250
articles
❖ This constitution was imposed by Ayub Khan, a
military dictator
❖ It follows a Presidential system of
government.
❖ It introduced the Basic Democracy system.
❖ Urdu and Bengali were made national
languages.
The Constitution of 1973
❖ This is Pakistan's current and third constitution
with 280 articles
❖ Follows bicameral legislature. It also granted
greater autonomy to the provinces.
❖ Urdu is the national language.
❖ Direct method of election was adopted
New Beginnings: Pakistan after 1947- LP -1- 40

understanding of the specific terminologies underlined in the text

A unicameral legislature

● It has only one chamber or house which is responsible for making laws and policies for
the entire country or region.
● Examples of countries with unicameral legislature: Denmark, Finland, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.

A presidential system of government

● A political system in which the head of government is a president who is elected by the
people.
● The president can appoint, leading a cabinet or council of advisors, veto a legislation
passed by the legislative branch( composed of two separate houses, the Senate and
House of Representatives in the United States Congress.)
● Examples: The United States, Brazil, Mexico, and many countries in Latin America.

Basic Democracy

● In 1959, the then-President of Pakistan, General Ayub Khan, introduced a new system
of governance called the Basic Democracy System.
● Under this system, the country was divided into small constituencies called Basic
Democracies.
● The system was abolished in 1973.

Federal parliamentary system of government

● A political system in which power is divided between a central or federal government and smaller
regional governments or states.
● The Prime Minister and their cabinet of advisors are responsible for making decisions on behalf of
the government.
● Examples of countries with a federal parliamentary system of government include Australia,
Canada, Germany, India, and Switzerland.

A bicameral legislature

● It is a type of legislative system that consists of two separate chambers or houses, the upper house
and the lower house.
● Examples of countries with Bicameral legislature: Pakistan, the United States, Canada, Australia,
India, and the United Kingdom.