First Constitution of Pakistan 1956
First Constitution of Pakistan 1956 was key stone in the Pakistan history. Pakistan succeeded in drafting a Constitution after nine years of effort. It was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on 29 February 1956 and enforced by the Assembly as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956. It was passed under the government of Ch. Muhammad Ali and Iskandar Mirza. The 23rd march is an essential day in Pakistan’s history, because on this day Pakistan resolution was approved in Lahore in 1940. It was therefore decided that this constitution must be introduced on such an important day of history.
There were 234 articles and 6 schedules in Pakistan’s 1956 Constitution, outlining the entire constitutional and governance and power management framework. In this Constitution Pakistan was named as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by this constitution.
Salient features of 1956 constitution of pakistan
Below are the salient characteristics of the 1956 Constitution
Written Constitution
It was written and long document. There were 234 articles and six schedules.
Objective Resolution
Objective Resolution was included in it. Pakistan was declared the Islamic Republic of Pakistan by the name of the 1956 country constitution.
National Language
Urdu and Bengali were made national languages of Pakistan.
State Religion
Islam has been Pakistan’s state religion.
Islamic Provisions
Many Islamic provisions were introduced in 1956 and decided not to make any law against Islam’s injunction.
Fundamental Right
All fundamental rights were given to all citizens of Pakistan including minorities. The rights of minorities were laid down in Pakistan’s 1956 constitution. Minorities freely perform festivals of their religion.
Uni- cameral Legislature
Unicameral parliament was introduced in the Constitution. There were 300 National Assembly seats for men and 10 for women . Total 310 seats in National Assembly
Federal System
In the country under the Constitution of 1956, the federal system was established. Introduction of the parliamentary form of the Govt Constitution from 1956.
Freedom of Judiciary
In the Constitution of 1956, freedom of the judiciary was established. The decision was made to interpret the Constitution from the Supreme Court.
Direct Election
Direct elections were introduced in the Constitution of 1956.
Single Citizenship
The Constitution of 1956 contained only one citizenship. The constitution established specific State Policy Directive principles for the Government Guidance.
Lengthy Constitution
The constitution of 1956 was a lengthy one.
Causes of failure of the 1956 Constitutional Parliamentary System
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Lack of Leadership
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Unicameralism
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Lack of Political Training
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Delay in Elections
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Non Existence of Economic Equality
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Criticism of 1956 constitution of pakistan
- In the National Assembly, the Bengalis were underrepresented.
- There was no provisional autonomy given to the provinces, and the ‘One Unit Scheme‘ was trying to squash their demand, but Dr. Akhter Hamid Khan has always stated the right to resolve their problems.
- The first step towards establishing an army as a political institution was the right, during a moment of so-called inner or external danger, to declare an emergency by the president.
ENFORCEMENT OF MARTIAL LAW
A presidential proclamation suspended the constitution on the night of 7 October 1958 by President Iskander Mirza. The ministers have been rejected, parliamentary terms ended, and political parties have been banned. General Mohammad Ayub Khan was appointed as Chief Martial Law Administrator and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
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