19 Lecture

PAK301

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

Constitution Making (1947-56)

The period from 1947 to 1956 in the history of Pakistan was marked by significant developments in the realm of constitution-making.


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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What was the main form of government adopted in Pakistan's first constitution of 1956?

a. Federal parliamentary system

b. Presidential system

c. Unitary system

d. Monarchy

Answer: a. Federal parliamentary system


Who was responsible for imposing martial law in Pakistan in 1958?

a. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

b. Allama Iqbal

c. General Ayub Khan

d. Liaquat Ali Khan

Answer: c. General Ayub Khan


What was the significance of the Objectives Resolution adopted in 1949 during the constitution making process?

a. It provided for a presidential system in Pakistan.

b. It laid down the guiding principles for the future constitution.

c. It established Islam as the state religion.

d. It granted equal rights to all minority groups.

Answer: b. It laid down the guiding principles for the future constitution.


Which assembly was responsible for drafting Pakistan's first constitution?

a. Constituent Assembly

b. National Assembly

c. Senate

d. Provincial Assemblies

Answer: a. Constituent Assembly


What was the main challenge faced during the constitution making process in Pakistan from 1947 to 1956?

a. Economic instability

b. Lack of resources

c. Political instability and regional conflicts

d. External interference

Answer: c. Political instability and regional conflicts


What was the fate of the Constitution of 1956 in Pakistan?

a. It was successfully implemented.

b. It was abrogated in 1958.

c. It was amended multiple times.

d. It was replaced by a presidential system.

Answer: b. It was abrogated in 1958.


Who served as the first Prime Minister of Pakistan under the Constitution of 1956?

a. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

b. Allama Iqbal

c. Khawaja Nazimuddin

d. Liaquat Ali Khan

Answer: c. Khawaja Nazimuddin


Which document laid the foundation for the Constitution of 1956?

a. The Government of India Act, 1935

b. The Objectives Resolution of 1949

c. The Charter of Democracy

d. The Lahore Resolution of 1940

Answer: b. The Objectives Resolution of 1949


Who assumed the presidency after the abrogation of the Constitution of 1956 in Pakistan?

a. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

b. Allama Iqbal

c. General Ayub Khan

d. Liaquat Ali Khan

Answer: c. General Ayub Khan


What was the main reason for the abrogation of the Constitution of 1956 in Pakistan?

a. Economic instability

b. Foreign interference

c. Political instability and regional conflicts

d. Lack of public support

Answer: c. Political instability and regional conflicts



Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

Download PDF

What was the main challenge faced during the constitution making process in Pakistan from 1947 to 1956?

Answer: The main challenge was political instability, with issues such as regional conflicts, conflicting interests, and political rivalries affecting the progress of constitution making.


What was the significance of the Objectives Resolution adopted in 1949 during the constitution making process?

Answer: The Objectives Resolution laid down the guiding principles for the future constitution, including democracy, Islam as the state religion, and protection of minority rights.


Why did the process of constitution making face delays and disruptions during this period?

Answer: The process faced delays and disruptions due to political instability, assassinations of key political leaders, and differences between different regions and interest groups.


Which assembly was responsible for drafting Pakistan's first constitution?

Answer: The Constituent Assembly, appointed in 1948, was responsible for drafting Pakistan's first constitution.


What form of government did Pakistan adopt in its first constitution of 1956?

Answer: Pakistan adopted a federal parliamentary system with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government in its first constitution of 1956.


Why did the Constitution of 1956 face challenges and ultimately get abrogated?

Answer: The Constitution of 1956 faced challenges due to political instability, regional conflicts, and tensions between different interest groups, which ultimately led to its abrogation in 1958.


What were the main guiding principles of the Objectives Resolution adopted in 1949?

Answer: The main guiding principles of the Objectives Resolution were democracy, Islam as the state religion, and protection of minority rights.


Who was responsible for imposing martial law in Pakistan in 1958?

Answer: General Ayub Khan seized power in a military coup and imposed martial law in Pakistan in 1958.


What was the main outcome of the constitution making process in Pakistan from 1947 to 1956?

Answer: The main outcome was the adoption of Pakistan's first constitution, the Constitution of 1956, which provided for a federal parliamentary system with Islam as the state religion.


How did the political climate during the constitution making process in Pakistan from 1947 to 1956 affect the progress of constitution making?

Answer: The political climate during this period was marked by instability, conflicts, and rivalries, which led to delays and disruptions in the progress of constitution making, ultimately impacting the final outcome of the adopted constitution.

Constitution Making (1947-56)

Constitution Making (1947-56): The Evolution of Pakistan's Constitutional Framework

The period from 1947 to 1956 in the history of Pakistan was marked by significant developments in the realm of constitution-making. As Pakistan emerged as a newly independent state in 1947, it faced numerous challenges and complexities in formulating a constitution that would serve as the fundamental law of the land. This article explores the evolution of Pakistan's constitutional framework during this crucial period. The initial years after independence were characterized by political instability, as the country grappled with issues such as the division of assets and resources with India, the integration of princely states, and the resettlement of millions of refugees. The lack of a constitution created a legal vacuum, and the need for a constitutional framework became evident. In 1947, the Indian Independence Act was passed by the British Parliament, which granted independence to both India and Pakistan and laid the groundwork for the formulation of their respective constitutions. In 1948, the Government of Pakistan appointed a Constituent Assembly to draft the country's constitution. This assembly, composed of elected representatives from all regions of Pakistan, embarked on the challenging task of constitution making. The process was marked by debates, negotiations, and compromises as different factions and interests sought to shape the future constitutional framework of the country. One of the key debates during the constitution making process was the issue of the form of government. Some advocated for a federal system with a strong center, while others favored a more decentralized approach with significant powers vested in the provinces. After much deliberation, the Constituent Assembly adopted the Objectives Resolution in March 1949, which laid down the guiding principles for the future constitution, including the principles of democracy, Islam as the state religion, and protection of minorities' rights. However, the process of constitution making faced various challenges, including differences between different regions, conflicting interests, and political rivalries. In 1951, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated, which further destabilized the political landscape and delayed the progress of constitution making. In 1954, the Constituent Assembly dissolved, and a new Constituent Assembly was elected in 1955. This assembly, known as the Second Constituent Assembly, was tasked with the responsibility of finalizing the country's constitution. However, the political climate remained turbulent, and disagreements persisted, particularly regarding the distribution of powers between the center and provinces. Finally, in 1956, after years of deliberation and negotiation, Pakistan adopted its first constitution, known as the Constitution of 1956. It provided for a federal parliamentary system with a president as the head of state and a prime minister as the head of government. The Constitution also declared Pakistan as an Islamic republic, with Islam as the state religion and provisions for the protection of minority rights. However, the 1956 Constitution faced numerous challenges and was short-lived. Political instability, regional conflicts, and tensions between different interest groups led to the abrogation of the Constitution in 1958, when General Ayub Khan seized power in a military coup and imposed martial law. In conclusion, the period of constitution making from 1947 to 1956 was a significant chapter in Pakistan's history. It was a complex and challenging process marked by debates, negotiations, and compromises. Despite the adoption of the Constitution of 1956, the country faced various challenges in its implementation, which ultimately led to its abrogation. Nevertheless, this period laid the foundation for future constitutional developments in Pakistan and shaped the country's constitutional framework in the years to come. Today, as Pakistan continues to navigate its constitutional landscape, the lessons and experiences of the constitutional making process during this period continue to shape the nation's governance and legal system.