The document summarizes the key features of the constitutions of Pakistan from 1956 to 1973. The 1956 constitution established Pakistan as an Islamic republic with Urdu and Bengali as national languages. It had a unicameral legislature and parliamentary system of government. The 1962 constitution made it more difficult to amend and gave the president significant powers. The 1973 constitution is the current governing document which is a rigid, written constitution with a parliamentary democracy and bicameral legislature. It declares Islam as the state religion and protects fundamental rights and minorities.

1. Silent Features of Constitution of 1956
Following are SilentFeatures of Constitution of1956
Written Constitution
Constitution ofwas a written and lengthy document.It had 234
Articles and 6 Schedules.
Rigid Constitution
The Constitution of1956 was partly rigid and Party flexible. The
method of Amendmentwas notdifficult.
Objective Resolution
Objective Resolution was included as Preamble ofConstitution
of 1956.
Name of Country
Constitution of1956 declared Pakistan as Islamic Republic of
Pakistan.
National Language
Under constitution of1956, Urdu and Bengali were made
national Language.
State Religion
Islam was the state religion ofPakistan.
Islamic Provisions
Many Islamic Provisions was introduced in constitution of1956
and decided that no law will be made which againstthe
injunction ofIslam.
Fundamental Right
Fundamental Rights were given to the people ofPakistan
according to constitution of1956.
Rights of Minorities
Rights of minorities were provided in the constitution of
Pakistan 1956.Minorities freely perform own religion festivals.
Uni- cameral Legislature
Constitution of1956 was provided uni-cameral legislature which
was based on justnational assembly.
Federal System
Federal system was introduced in the country under the
constitution of1956.
Parliamentary Form of Govt
Constitution of1956 was introduced parliamentaryform of
Salient Features of 1962 Constitution
Following are the salient Features of the Constitution
1962.
(i) Written Constitution
Constitution of1962 was a written document. It consisted
of 5 Schedules and 250 Articles.
(ii) Rigid Constitution
Constitution of1962 was a rigid constitution, procedure to
amend this constitution was complicated.Any amendment
to this constitution required not only at least 2/3 majority of
Parliament but also authentication from President.
(iii) Name of the Country
Constitution of 1962 was declared Pakistan
as Democratic Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
(iv) National Language
Under constitution of 1962, Urdu and Bengali as National
Languages.
(v) Islamic Provisions
Many Islamic Provision was introduced in constitution of
1962 and decided that no law will be made which against
the injunction of Islam.
(vi) Unicameral Legislature
Constitution of 1962 was Provided unicameral legislature
which was based on just national assembly.
(v) Presidential Form of Govt
Constitution of 1962 introduced Presidential form of Govt
in such form of Govt President was made head and he
possessed Power to appoint ministers of his cabinet.
(vi) Freedom of Judiciary
Freedom of Judiciary was introduced that supreme Court
would interpret the constitution.
(vii) Fundamental Rights
The constitution of1962 grants certain fundamental rights
to the citizens of Pakistan. These are basic human rights
which cannot be taken away even by legislation in normal
circumstances.
Salient Features of Constitution of Pakistan 1973
Following are the salient features of the constitution of
Pakistan 1973
Written Constitution
Constitution of Pakistan 1973 is a written constitution. It
comprises of 280 Articles. It also contains 6 schedules,
which has been divided into 12 parts.
Rigid Constitution
The constitution of Pakistan 1973 is rigid because
amendment procedure is not easy. This constitution
provides that 2/3 majority of votes of members National
Assemblyand Senate,and assentofPresidentof Pakistan
are necessary for its amendment.
State Religion
The constitution of Pakistan 1973 announces that Islam
would be state religion.
National Language and Official Language
In accordance with Article 251 of the present constitution
Urdu has been declared as National Language of Pakistan
but the official language is English.
Federal Form of Government
Constitution of Pakistan 1973 provide federal form of
government consisting of four provinces of the central
government of Pakistan.
Parliamentary form of Government
Parliamentary form of government has been provided for
the government in the constitution.
Direct Elections
Constitution of Pakistan 1973 has provided method of
direct elections to electmembers ofNational Assemblyand
Provincial Assembly.
Bi-Cameral Legislature
The Federal Legislature is bi-cameral consisting two
houses. Senate (upper house) and National Assembly
(lower House).
Preamble
Preamble means an introductory part of statue; it is not the

2. Govt.
Freedom of Judiciary
Freedom of Judiciarywas introduced in constitution of 1956.It
was decided thatsupreme courtwould interpretthe
constitution.
Direct Election
In the Constitution of1956 method ofdirect election was
introduced.
Single Citizenship
There was only single citizenship in the constitution of1956.
Directive Principles of the State Policy
The constitution laid down certain Directive principles ofState
policy for the Guidance of the Government.They would serve
simplyas ideals which the state should strive to achieve.
Lengthy Constitution
The constitution of1956 was a lengthy one. The reason for its
being lengthy was that the framer not only framed the
fundamental principles butadministrative details were also
given.
Conclusion
To conclude,it can be stated that constitution historyof
Pakistan reveals that there has been political conflictbetween
head of state and head of government,and such political
conflict has often led the country to political anarchy. And
Constitution ofPakistan have been either abrogated or
suspended in such political anarchy.As far as constitution of
1956 was concerned,it consisted ofsome positive
characteristics,butsuch political anarchycaused its
abrogation.
(viii) Islamic Ideology Council
The constitution of 1962 provided for the establishment of
Islamic Ideology Council.
(ix) Emergency Provisions
The president had the power to proclaim the emergency
when the integrity or the sovereignty of Pakistan was
threatened.
(x) Rule of Law
The constitution also provided equal protection oflaw to all
and no person can be deprived of life saves in accordance
with law.
(xi) Powers of President
Under constitution of 1962, President was really powerful.
He could exercise all the executive authority. All ministers
were accountable to him alone. President not only
appointed provincial Governors, but also appointed all
important officials. President also possessed certain
legislative, military and judicial powers. Even he had
power to issue an ordinance and to veto legislation.
(xii) Restrictions against Office of President
Constitution of 1962 provided some restrictions against
office of President. For instance, President was not
allowed to hold any office of profit in the services of
Pakistan.
Conclusion
To conclude, it can be stated that constitutional history of
Pakistan reveals that there has been a political conflict
between its main political parties to gain power in one way
or other way, and such political conflict has often led the
country to political anarchy. And constitutions of Pakistan
have been either abrogated or suspended in such political
anarchy. As far as constitution of 1962 was concerned,
initially nation always considered it as a gift from a
dictator, and, later on, such political anarchy caused its
suspension and replacement by constitution of 1973.
part of the constitution. It is stated in it than sovereignty
over entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah.
Holding of Referendum
The presidentofPakistan is authorized to order for holding
a referendum on any issue of national importance.
Single citizenship
The constitution of Pakistan 1973 provides single
citizenship.
Independence of Judiciary
An Independent Judiciary has been provided in 1973
constitution.Judiciarysafeguards the fundamental rights of
the people of Pakistan.
Rights of Minorities
Rights of Minorities have been protected in the 1973
constitution.
High Treason
The abrogation ofthe constitution through unconstitutional
means is high treason. It cannot be abrogated by the use
of force.
Final Analysis
To conclude that the 1973 constitution of Islamic Republic
of Pakistan is a democratic state, parliamentary with
bicameral legislature in its nature. It is the constitution of
elected people. All major political parties of Pakistan
unanimously accepted it. Minorities also have safeguard
and fundamental rights in such constitution.