Introduction

Pakistan disintegrated on December 16^th, 1971 in the wake of the Indo-Pakistan war, and the East-Pakistanis revolt. Pakistan Peoples Party which had won the second largest number of seats in the general election of 1970. It formed its government in the remaining parts (West-Pakistan currently Pakistan) of the country. The Butto regime drafted the constitution with additional support from the opposition parties. The parliament approved the constitution on April 10^th, which was imposed on August 14^th,1973.

Salient Features / Important Features of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan

1. Written Constitution
   • It is a written constitution as the parliament passed it.
2. Form of Government
   • In the 1973 constitution, the form of government is the parliament form of government.
3. Federal System of Government
   • Pakistan would be a federation of four provinces, seven agencies, and Kashmir.
4. National Language
   • Urdu is declared as the national language of Pakistan.
5. Bicameral Legislature
   • The legislature body is divided into two parts  (i) the Upper House as the Senate, and (ii) the Lower House as National Assembly.
6. Head of Executive
   • The Prime Minister would be the head of the executive. He would be elected from among the members of the National Assembly (NA). He would have the authority to choose his cabinet among the elected members of the NA.
7. Head of the State
   • The President of Pakistan will be the head of the State. The members of the NA would elect him. His age must be 40 or above.
8. Flexible Constitution
   • A two-thirds majority in the NA can amend a law or introduce a new law in the constitution.
9. Fundamental Rights
   • Such as the right to vote, security of life and property, professing religion, right to a fair trial; freedom of speech, movement, and assembly, etc are guaranteed in the constitution.

Islamic Provisions of the Constitution of 1973 of Pakistan

• The Head of the State would be Muslim.
• Pakistan was named as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
• Islam is the State religion.
• Objectives Resolution was added as the preamble.
• Qayadani/Ahmadi were declared non Muslim.
• Council of Islamic Ideology: Whether an existing or new law is in accord with Islam or not. 

Test Your Knowledge

Hello reader! I hope this article finds you the best for your preparation. Now test yourself by attempting the questions given below.

• Write down the salient features of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan.