Pakistan's 1956 Constitution

• Pakistan's first Constitution was adopted in 1956, shaping the country's political and legal framework.

Adoption

• The Constitution was adopted on March 23, 1956.
• Pakistan transitioned from a Dominion to an Islamic Republic.

Basic Rights

• Fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and equality before the law were included.

Chief Executive

• The President was the head of state with significant powers, replacing the Governor-General.

Democracy

• A parliamentary democracy was introduced, but political instability led to its downfall.

East and West Pakistan

• Pakistan had two wings, East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan, which created governance challenges.

Federalism

• A federal structure was established, dividing powers between the central and provincial governments.

Governor’s Role

• Provincial governors were appointed by the President and had significant authority over their regions.

Head of State

• The President was the ceremonial head of state, but held strong executive powers.

Islamic Provisions

• Islam was declared as the state religion.
• Laws contradicting Islamic teachings were prohibited.

Judiciary

• The judiciary was established as an independent organ, but faced executive interference.

Kashmir Issue

• The Constitution reflected Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir, emphasizing it as an integral part of the country.

Legislative Framework

• A unicameral legislature was introduced, with only one house of Parliament (National Assembly).

Martial Law Fears

• Political instability led to the imposition of martial law in 1958.

National Language

• Urdu was recognized as the national language.
• Bengali was acknowledged due to East Pakistan’s demands.

Oath of Office

• Public office holders had to swear allegiance to Pakistan and Islamic values.

Parliamentary System

• The Prime Minister was the head of government, responsible for running the country.

Quaid’s Vision

• The Constitution was influenced by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s ideals, but diverged in implementation.

Repeal

• The Constitution was abrogated on October 7, 1958, by General Ayub Khan’s martial law.

Sovereignty

• Sovereignty belongs to Allah, but the government exercised it on behalf of the people.

Two-Wing Problem

• Political and economic inequality between East and West Pakistan was a major issue.

Unstable Politics

• The period after the adoption was marked by weak governments and frequent leadership changes.

Voting Rights

• Direct elections were provided, but criticized for not ensuring fair representation.

Women’s Rights

• Basic rights to women were granted, but their role in politics remained limited.

X-Factor (Key Issue)

• The tension between democracy and authoritarianism led to its failure.

Years of Struggle

• The Constitution was the result of nine years of debate and political struggle after independence.

Zonal Disparity

• Economic and political disparities between East and West Pakistan remained unresolved, contributing to future conflicts.

Conclusion

• The 1956 Constitution was Pakistan’s first attempt at establishing a democratic framework, but it failed due to political instability.
• It was replaced by the 1962 Constitution, following the military takeover by General Ayub Khan.