Constitutional Development (1947-73)
Pakistan's constitutions, political crises and the 1973 Constitution
Pakistan's constitutional history is marked by long delays, political crises, and military interventions.
Objectives Resolution (1949): First constitutional document. Declared Pakistan an Islamic state where sovereignty belongs to Allah. Became preamble of all constitutions.
Constitution of 1956: First constitution, 9 years after independence. Declared Pakistan an **Islamic Republic**. Used One-Unit scheme (West Pakistan as single unit vs East Pakistan). Lasted only 2 years — abrogated by General Ayub Khan's coup (1958).
Ayub Khan's Basic Democracies (1962 Constitution): Presidential system. Indirect elections — 80,000 Basic Democrats elected president. Strengthened central power. Removed by mass protests (1969). General Yahya Khan took over.
1971 Crisis: Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's Awami League won 1970 elections but was denied power. Civil war in East Pakistan → Indian military intervention → **East Pakistan became Bangladesh (16 December 1971)**. Pakistan lost half its population and territory.
Constitution of 1973: Current constitution, unanimously adopted under Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Key features:
Key Points to Remember
- 1Objectives Resolution 1949: sovereignty belongs to Allah
- 21956 Constitution: first, lasted 2 years — Ayub's coup ended it
- 31971: East Pakistan became Bangladesh after civil war
- 41973 Constitution: parliamentary, bicameral, Islamic — still in force
Pakistan Example
The 1973 Constitution — Pakistan's Living Document
The 1973 Constitution, though amended over 26 times, remains Pakistan's governing document. Every AKU History student must know its key features: federal parliamentary system, Senate representing provinces equally, National Assembly representing population. When General Zia ul-Haq suspended it in 1977 and General Musharraf amended it in 2002, they highlighted the ongoing tension between constitutional government and military power in Pakistan.