Pakistan Constitutional History (1947–1958)

Early Constitutional Development

1. First Constituent Assembly met on 10 August 1947.
2. Pakistan’s first constitution was enforced on 23 March 1956.
3. Pakistan took 9 years to frame its first constitution.
4. India enforced its constitution on 26 January 1950.
5. The first Constituent Assembly functioned as both constitution-making body and federal legislature.
6. Deaths of Quaid-e-Azam (1948) and Liaquat Ali Khan (1951) delayed constitution-making.

Objectives Resolution (1949)

7. Objectives Resolution was passed on 12 March 1949.
8. Objectives Resolution was presented by Liaquat Ali Khan.
9. It declared that sovereignty belongs to Almighty Allah.
10. Objectives Resolution promised democracy, equality, freedom, tolerance, and social justice.
11. It guaranteed fundamental rights and independence of judiciary.
12. Opposition to the Objectives Resolution came mainly from Pakistan National Congress and non-Muslim members.
13. S.C. Chattopadhyaya called minorities “drawers of water and hewers of wood.”

Basic Principles Committee (BPC)

14. Basic Principles Committee was headed by Liaquat Ali Khan.
15. First BPC Report was presented on 28 September 1950.
16. The first BPC Report proposed a bicameral legislature.
17. Upper House was called the House of Units.
18. Lower House was called the House of People.
19. First BPC Report declared Urdu as the only national language.
20. East Pakistan opposed the first report due to representation and language issues.

Second BPC Report (1952)

21. Second BPC Report was presented on 22 December 1952.
22. It was presented during the premiership of Khwaja Nazimuddin.
23. It introduced the principle of parity between East and West Pakistan.
24. House of Units was allotted 120 seats (60 East, 60 West).
25. House of People was allotted 400 seats (200 East, 200 West).
26. Head of State was required to be a Muslim.
27. The proposed Board of Ulama was heavily criticized.

Muhammad Ali Bogra Formula (1953)

28. Muhammad Ali Bogra became Prime Minister on 17 April 1953.
29. Bogra Formula was presented on 7 October 1953.
30. Bogra Formula attempted to solve the representation deadlock.
31. Total seats in central legislature under Bogra Formula were 350.
32. East Pakistan received 175 seats in the central legislature.
33. West Pakistan received 175 seats in the central legislature.
34. Upper House consisted of 50 seats.
35. Lower House consisted of 300 seats.
36. Bogra Formula maintained parity between East and West Pakistan.
37. It granted equal powers to both Houses.
38. It recognized Urdu and Bengali as official languages.

Dissolution of First Constituent Assembly

39. First Constituent Assembly was dissolved on 24 October 1954.
40. It was dissolved by Governor-General Malik Ghulam Muhammad.
41. The case challenging dissolution was known as Maulvi Tamizuddin Case.
42. Sindh Chief Court declared the dissolution illegal.
43. Supreme Court ultimately upheld the Governor-General’s action.

Second Constituent Assembly (1955)

44. Second Constituent Assembly was formed in 1955.
45. It consisted of 80 members.
46. Prime Minister responsible for final constitutional work was Chaudhri Muhammad Ali.
47. One Unit Scheme was introduced on 30 September 1955.
48. One Unit merged all provinces and states of West Pakistan into one province.
49. Purpose of One Unit was to establish parity with East Pakistan.

Constitution of 1956

50. Constitution was approved on 29 January 1956.
51. Constitution came into force on 23 March 1956.
52. Pakistan became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan under the 1956 Constitution.
53. The 1956 Constitution established a parliamentary system.
54. Legislature under the 1956 Constitution was unicameral.
55. National Assembly had 300 members.
56. East Pakistan had 150 seats in the National Assembly.
57. West Pakistan had 150 seats in the National Assembly.
58. 10 seats were reserved for women.
59. President had to be a Muslim and at least 40 years old.
60. President’s term was 5 years.
61. Prime Minister was the real executive authority.
62. Cabinet was collectively responsible to the National Assembly.
63. The judiciary was declared independent.
64. Supreme Court possessed original and appellate jurisdiction.

End of the 1956 Constitution

65. President Iskander Mirza abrogated the Constitution on 7/8 October 1958.
66. Martial Law was imposed on 8 October 1958.
67. Pakistan’s first Martial Law was imposed in 1958.
68. General Ayub Khan was the first Chief Martial Law Administrator.
69. Ayub Khan removed Iskander Mirza on 27 October 1958.
70. Ayub Khan became Pakistan’s Head of State in 1958.

Most Repeated MCQs

• Objectives Resolution → 12 March 1949
• First Constitution enforced → 23 March 1956
• Bogra Formula → 7 October 1953
• First Constituent Assembly dissolved → 24 October 1954
• One Unit Scheme → 30 September 1955
• Constitution approved → 29 January 1956
• Martial Law imposed → 8 October 1958
• First Chief Martial Law Administrator → Ayub Khan
• First Constitution abrogated by → Iskander Mirza
• Case against dissolution → Maulvi Tamizuddin Case

Constitution of 1962

1. Constitution of 1962 was enforced on 8 June 1962.
2. Constitutional Commission was headed by Justice Shahab-ud-Din.
3. Commission submitted its report on 6 May 1961.
4. Constitution of 1962 introduced a Presidential System.
5. It replaced the Parliamentary System of 1956.
6. President had to be a Muslim citizen.
7. Minimum age for President under 1962 Constitution was 35 years.
8. President was elected indirectly by Basic Democrats (BDs).
9. Initially there were 80,000 Basic Democrats.
10. Later Basic Democrats increased to 120,000.
11. President possessed extensive executive powers.
12. President could dissolve the National Assembly.
13. President could declare Emergency.
14. National Assembly under 1962 Constitution was Unicameral.
15. National Assembly initially had 156 members.
16. Later National Assembly membership increased to 218 members.
17. Representation in National Assembly was based on parity between East and West Pakistan.
18. Provincial Governors were appointed by the President.
19. Governors served at the pleasure of the President.

End of 1962 Constitution

20. Ayub Khan resigned on 25 March 1969.
21. General Yahya Khan imposed Martial Law in 1969.
22. Constitution of 1962 was abrogated on 25 March 1969.
23. Yahya Khan issued the Legal Framework Order (LFO) in 1970.
24. One Unit Scheme was abolished in July 1970.
25. LFO restored Punjab, Sindh, NWFP, and Balochistan.
26. Yahya Khan introduced One Man, One Vote.
27. East Pakistan received 169 seats in the National Assembly.
28. West Pakistan received 144 seats.
29. Total National Assembly seats under LFO were 313.

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Constitution of 1973

30. Constitution of 1973 was passed on 12 April 1973.
31. Constitution of 1973 was enforced on 14 August 1973.
32. Constitutional Committee was headed by Abdul Hafeez Pirzada.
33. Committee was formed on 17 April 1972.
34. Constitution of 1973 restored the Parliamentary System.
35. It is the current Constitution of Pakistan.
36. Prime Minister became the real executive authority.
37. President became a ceremonial (titular) Head of State.
38. President must be a Muslim.
39. President’s term is 5 years.
40. President is elected by Parliament and Provincial Assemblies.
41. President can be removed through Impeachment.
42. President may dissolve the National Assembly only on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister

43. Prime Minister is elected by the National Assembly.
44. Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party.
45. PM is the chief executive under the 1973 Constitution.
46. Cabinet is collectively responsible to the National Assembly.
47. Article dealing with executive authority is Article 90.
48. PM can be removed through a Vote of No-Confidence.

Parliament

49. 1973 Constitution introduced a Bicameral Legislature.
50. Parliament consists of the National Assembly and Senate.
51. National Assembly is the Lower House.
52. Senate is the Upper House.

National Assembly

53. Total National Assembly seats are 342.
54. General seats in NA are 272.
55. Reserved seats for women are 60.
56. Reserved seats for minorities are 10.
57. Minimum age for NA membership is 25 years.

Senate

58. Senate is a permanent house.
59. Senate cannot be dissolved.
60. Senate consists of 100 members.
61. Senator’s term is 6 years.
62. Half of the Senators retire every 3 years.
63. Senate ensures equal provincial representation.

Provincial Assemblies

64. Punjab Assembly consists of 371 seats.
65. Sindh Assembly consists of 168 seats.
66. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly consists of 124 seats.
67. Balochistan Assembly consists of 65 seats.

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Eighth Amendment (1985)

68. Eighth Amendment was introduced by General Zia-ul-Haq.
69. Most controversial provision was Article 58(2)(b).
70. Article 58(2)(b) empowered the President to dissolve the National Assembly.
71. Eighth Amendment strengthened the Presidency.
72. Four elected governments were dismissed under Article 58(2)(b).

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Musharraf Era & Seventeenth Amendment

73. General Pervez Musharraf took power on 12 October 1999.
74. Musharraf overthrew the government of Nawaz Sharif.
75. Musharraf introduced the Devolution of Power Plan (2000).
76. Musharraf issued the Legal Framework Order (LFO) 2002.
77. LFO revived Article 58(2)(b).
78. Seventeenth Amendment validated Musharraf’s LFO.
79. Seventeenth Amendment allowed Musharraf to hold the offices of President and COAS simultaneously.
80. National Assembly strength increased to 342 seats.
81. Presidential order dissolving assemblies became subject to Supreme Court review.
82. Under the Seventeenth Amendment, PM and assemblies became vulnerable to Presidential dissolution powers.

Most Repeated Competitive Exam MCQs

• 1962 Constitution enforced → 8 June 1962
• Constitution Commission Head → Justice Shahab-ud-Din
• 1962 Constitution introduced → Presidential System
• Basic Democrats → 80,000 (later 120,000)
• Ayub resigned → 25 March 1969
• LFO issued by → Yahya Khan
• One Man One Vote introduced by → Yahya Khan
• 1973 Constitution enforced → 14 August 1973
• Drafting Committee Head → Abdul Hafeez Pirzada
• Real Executive under 1973 Constitution → Prime Minister
• Parliament under 1973 Constitution → Bicameral
• Senate is → Permanent House
• Eighth Amendment introduced by → Zia-ul-Haq
• Article 58(2)(b) → Power to dissolve National Assembly
• Musharraf takeover → 12 October 1999
• LFO 2002 issued by → Pervez Musharraf
• Current Constitution of Pakistan → Constitution of 1973

Constitutional Amendments of Pakistan (1973 Constitution)

Introduction

The Constitution of Pakistan was enforced on 14 August 1973. It established a federal parliamentary democratic system. The Constitution currently contains 280 Articles and provides a mechanism for amendments through a two-thirds majority in Parliament.

Parliament of Pakistan

• Upper House: Senate
• Lower House: National Assembly
• Amendment Requirement: Two-thirds majority in Parliament and Presidential assent.

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Important Constitutional Amendments

1st Amendment (1974)

• Redefined the territorial boundaries of Pakistan.
• Removed references to East Pakistan after the creation of Bangladesh.

2nd Amendment (1974)

• Defined the term “Muslim” in the Constitution.
• Declared Ahmadis (Qadianis/Lahoris) as non-Muslims.

Exam Point: Most frequently asked amendment in competitive examinations.

3rd Amendment (1975)

• Increased preventive detention period from one month to three months.

4th Amendment (1975)

• Increased reserved seats for non-Muslims.
• Restricted bail provisions in preventive detention cases.

5th Amendment (1976)

• Established separate High Courts for Sindh and Balochistan.

6th Amendment (1976)

• Fixed retirement age of judges:
  • Supreme Court Judges: 65 years
  • High Court Judges: 62 years

7th Amendment (1977)

• Allowed the Prime Minister to seek a vote of confidence through a referendum.

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8th Amendment (1985)

• Introduced Article 58(2)(b).
• Empowered the President to dissolve the National Assembly.
• Converted the parliamentary system into a semi-presidential system.

Exam Point: One of the most important constitutional amendments.

9th Amendment (1985) – Not Passed

• Proposed making Sharia the supreme law of Pakistan.

10th Amendment (1987)

• Maximum interval between parliamentary sessions fixed at 130 days.
• Parliament required to meet at least three times annually.

11th Amendment (1989) – Not Passed

• Proposed restoration of reserved seats for women.

12th Amendment (1991)

• Established Speedy Trial Courts for three years.
• Increased judges’ salaries.

13th Amendment (1997)

• Repealed Article 58(2)(b).
• Removed the President’s power to dissolve the National Assembly.

14th Amendment (1997)

• Introduced Anti-Defection Law.
• Prevented floor crossing by parliamentarians.

Exam Point: Known as the Anti-Defection Amendment.

15th Amendment (1998) – Not Passed

• Known as the Shariat Bill.

16th Amendment (1999)

• Extended civil service quota system from 20 years to 40 years.

17th Amendment (2003)

• Restored Article 58(2)(b).
• Incorporated General Pervez Musharraf’s Legal Framework Order (LFO) into the Constitution.

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18th Amendment (2010)

• Added Article 25-A (Right to Education).
• Removed Article 58(2)(b) again.
• Strengthened parliamentary democracy.
• Granted extensive provincial autonomy.
• Renamed:
  • NWFP → Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK)
  • Sind → Sindh
  • Baluchistan → Balochistan

Exam Point: Considered the most significant constitutional amendment after 1973.

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19th Amendment (2011)

• Modified the procedure for appointment of judges.
• Renamed “High Court of Islamabad” as Islamabad High Court.

20th Amendment (2012)

• Strengthened Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
• Established constitutional framework for caretaker governments.
• Ensured free and fair elections.

21st Amendment (2015)

• Established Military Courts for terrorism-related cases.
• Passed after the APS Peshawar terrorist attack.

22nd Amendment (2016)

• Revised qualifications and appointment procedures for ECP members.
• Maximum age:
  • Chief Election Commissioner: 68 years
  • ECP Members: 65 years

23rd Amendment (2017)

• Extended Military Courts for an additional two years.

24th Amendment (2017)

• Allowed National Assembly seat allocation based on provisional 2017 Census results.

25th Amendment (2018)

• Merged FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
• Abolished FATA’s separate constitutional status.

Exam Point: Most important amendment related to administrative reforms.

26th Amendment (2024)

• Created a 12-member Parliamentary Committee for nomination of the Chief Justice of Pakistan.
• Fixed CJP tenure at a maximum of three years.
• Revised Supreme Court suo motu procedures.
• Added Article 9-A recognizing the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

27th Amendment (2025)

• Established the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC).
• Created the office of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).
• Strengthened constitutional protections for military institutions.
• Reorganized constitutional adjudication mechanisms.

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Frequently Asked Exam MCQs

1. Which amendment declared Ahmadis non-Muslims? → 2nd Amendment.
2. Which amendment introduced Article 58(2)(b)? → 8th Amendment.
3. Which amendment abolished Article 58(2)(b) for the first time? → 13th Amendment.
4. Which amendment restored Article 58(2)(b)? → 17th Amendment.
5. Which amendment finally removed Article 58(2)(b)? → 18th Amendment.
6. Which amendment introduced the Right to Education? → 18th Amendment.
7. Which amendment granted provincial autonomy? → 18th Amendment.
8. Which amendment introduced Anti-Defection Law? → 14th Amendment.
9. Which amendment established Military Courts? → 21st Amendment.
10. Which amendment merged FATA into KPK? → 25th Amendment.
11. Which amendment established the Federal Constitutional Court? → 27th Amendment.
12. Which amendment created a new procedure for appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan? → 26th Amendment.

Quick Revision Table

• 2nd → Ahmadis declared non-Muslims
• 8th → Article 58(2)(b) introduced
• 13th → Article 58(2)(b) removed
• 14th → Anti-Defection Law
• 17th → Article 58(2)(b) restored
• 18th → Provincial Autonomy & Right to Education
• 21st → Military Courts
• 25th → FATA merged into KPK
• 26th → CJP Appointment Reforms
• 27th → Federal Constitutional Court