20 Lecture

PAK301

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

The 1956 Constitution

The adoption of the 1956 Constitution was a significant event in Pakistan's constitutional history. It marked a crucial step towards the establishment of a democratic and constitutional system of governance in the newly independent country.


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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What was the preamble of the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan?

a) Declaration of Independence

b) The Objectives Resolution

c) Bill of Rights

d) Fundamental Principles

Answer: b) The Objectives Resolution


Which of the following rights was NOT guaranteed by the 1956 Constitution?

a) Right to equality

b) Freedom of speech

c) Right to property

d) Right to life and liberty

Answer: c) Right to property


What was the structure of the legislature under the 1956 Constitution?

a) Unicameral

b) Bicameral

c) Tricameral

d) No legislature

Answer: b) Bicameral


Who framed the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan?

a) Constituent Assembly

b) President of Pakistan

c) Judiciary

d) Military

Answer: a) Constituent Assembly


How many articles were there in the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan?

a) 150

b) 195

c) 234

d) 350

Answer: c) 234


What was the official status of the 1956 Constitution in relation to Islam?

a) Islamic Republic of Pakistan

b) Secular Republic of Pakistan

c) Democratic Republic of Pakistan

d) Federal Republic of Pakistan

Answer: a) Islamic Republic of Pakistan


Which year was the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan adopted?

a) 1947

b) 1954

c) 1956

d) 1958

Answer: c) 1956


What was the main language used in the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan?

a) English

b) Urdu

c) Bengali

d) Sindhi

Answer: a) English


What was the term of the President under the 1956 Constitution?

a) 3 years

b) 5 years

c) 7 years

d) 10 years

Answer: b) 5 years


Which of the following was NOT a challenge faced by the 1956 Constitution?

a) Ambiguity in language

b) Opposition from political and religious groups

c) Lack of fundamental rights

d) Instability in political situation

Answer: c) Lack of fundamental rights




Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

Download PDF

What was the significance of the 1956 Constitution in Pakistan's constitutional history?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution was the first-ever constitution of Pakistan and laid the foundation for the constitutional framework of the country. It marked a crucial step towards the establishment of a democratic and constitutional system of governance in Pakistan.


Who framed the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution was framed by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, which was elected in 1954.


What was the preamble of the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The preamble of the 1956 Constitution included the Objectives Resolution of 1949, which laid down the guiding principles for the future constitution and declared Pakistan as an Islamic Republic.


What were some of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights such as the right to equality, freedom of speech, religion, and conscience, and the right to life and liberty.


What was the structure of the legislature under the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution provided for a bicameral legislature, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate, with a President as the head of state.


What were some of the challenges faced by the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution faced challenges such as ambiguity in its language, opposition from various political and religious groups, and instability in the political situation of Pakistan during its early years of adoption.


What led to the abrogation of the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution was abrogated in 1958 when martial law was imposed in Pakistan, and the democratic system was suspended due to political instability.


What was the main controversy regarding the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The main controversy regarding the 1956 Constitution was its Islamic credentials, with some groups questioning its adherence to Islamic principles and demanding amendments to make it more in line with their ideologies.


How many articles and schedules were there in the 1956 Constitution?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution consisted of 234 articles and 13 schedules, covering various aspects of governance in Pakistan.


What is the legacy of the 1956 Constitution in Pakistan's constitutional development?

Answer: The 1956 Constitution remains a significant milestone in Pakistan's constitutional history, as it laid the foundation for subsequent constitutions in the country and its principles of democracy, fundamental rights, and division of powers continue to be relevant in the constitutional discourse of Pakistan.

The 1956 Constitution

The 1956 Constitution: A Landmark in Pakistan's Constitutional History

The adoption of the 1956 Constitution was a significant event in Pakistan's constitutional history. It marked a crucial step towards the establishment of a democratic and constitutional system of governance in the newly independent country. The Constitution of 1956 was the first-ever constitution of Pakistan, and it laid the foundation for the constitutional framework of the country for years to come. The process of constitution-making in Pakistan was a challenging one, as the country faced various political, social, and regional complexities in its early years of independence. However, the adoption of the 1956 Constitution was a landmark achievement that aimed to provide a democratic framework for the governance of the country. The Constitution of 1956 was framed by the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, which was elected in 1954. The Constitution declared Pakistan as an Islamic Republic and provided for a federal parliamentary system of government. It consisted of 234 articles and 13 schedules, and it covered various aspects of governance, including the structure and powers of the government, fundamental rights, and the division of powers between the federal and provincial governments. One of the significant features of the 1956 Constitution was the inclusion of the Objectives Resolution of 1949 as its preamble. The Objectives Resolution laid down the guiding principles for the future constitution, and it declared that the sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah, and the authority that He has delegated to the State of Pakistan through its people shall be exercised within the limits prescribed by Him as a sacred trust. The 1956 Constitution also provided for fundamental rights, including the right to equality, freedom of speech, religion, and conscience, and the right to life and liberty. It guaranteed the independence of the judiciary and established the Federal Court as the highest court of the land. The Constitution also provided for a bicameral legislature, consisting of the National Assembly and the Senate, with a President as the head of state. However, despite its progressive features, the 1956 Constitution faced numerous challenges and controversies. It was criticized for being ambiguous in its language, which led to confusion in interpreting its provisions. It also faced opposition from various political and religious groups who questioned its Islamic credentials and demanded amendments to make it more in line with their ideologies. Furthermore, the political situation in Pakistan was unstable during the early years of its independence, with frequent changes in government and regional conflicts. This instability led to the abrogation of the 1956 Constitution in 1958, when martial law was imposed in the country, and the democratic system was suspended. Nevertheless, the 1956 Constitution remains a significant milestone in Pakistan's constitutional history. It laid the foundation for the subsequent constitutions that followed in the country, and its principles of democracy, fundamental rights, and division of powers continue to be relevant in the constitutional discourse of Pakistan to this day. In conclusion, the adoption of the 1956 Constitution was a landmark event in Pakistan's constitutional history. It provided a democratic framework for the governance of the country and set the stage for the subsequent constitutions in Pakistan. Despite its challenges and controversies, the 1956 Constitution remains a significant milestone in the evolution of Pakistan's constitutional development and reflects the aspirations of the people for a democratic and constitutional system of governance.