21 Lecture

Who promulgated the 1962 Constitution of Pakistan?

a) General Ayub Khan

b) Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah

c) Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

d) Liaquat Ali Khan

Answer: a) General Ayub Khan

When was the 1962 Constitution adopted?

a) 14th August 1947

b) 1st March 1962

c) 23rd March 1956

d) 14th August 1973

Answer: b) 1st March 1962

What was the system of government established by the 1962 Constitution?

a) Parliamentary system

b) Presidential system

c) Monarchial system

d) Feudal system

Answer: b) Presidential system

What was the main criticism of the 1962 Constitution?

a) Lack of representation

b) Concentration of power in the President

c) Lack of fundamental rights

d) Ineffective electoral system

Answer: b) Concentration of power in the President

What was the term of the President under the 1962 Constitution?

a) 4 years

b) 5 years

c) 6 years

d) 7 years

Answer: d) 7 years

What was the electoral system introduced by the 1962 Constitution?

a) Universal adult franchise

b) System of Basic Democracy

c) First-past-the-post system

d) Proportional representation system

Answer: b) System of Basic Democracy

Who had the power to dissolve the National Assembly and provincial assemblies under the 1962 Constitution?

a) Prime Minister

b) President

c) Chief Justice

d) Chief of Army Staff

Answer: b) President

What was the main issue with the electoral system introduced by the 1962 Constitution?

a) Lack of representation

b) Corruption in the elections

c) Concentration of power in the President

d) Ineffective voter registration process

Answer: c) Concentration of power in the President

How did the 1962 Constitution impact regional disparities in Pakistan?

a) It promoted regional harmony

b) It led to the empowerment of provinces

c) It resulted in regional discontent

d) It had no impact on regional disparities

Answer: c) It resulted in regional discontent

How did the 1962 Constitution eventually come to an end?

a) Through a constitutional amendment

b) Through a referendum

c) Through a military coup

d) Through a popular uprising

Answer: c) Through a military coup

Who promulgated the 1962 Constitution of Pakistan?

Answer: General Ayub Khan, who came into power through a military coup in 1958, promulgated the 1962 Constitution.

When was the 1962 Constitution adopted and how long did it remain in effect?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution was adopted on 1st March 1962 and remained in effect until it was abrogated by a military coup in 1969.

What were some key features of the 1962 Constitution?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution established a federal system of government with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. It also introduced provisions related to fundamental rights, a bicameral legislature, and a system of Basic Democracy.

What was the main criticism of the 1962 Constitution?

Answer: The main criticism of the 1962 Constitution was that it concentrated excessive power in the hands of the President, making him virtually a dictator, and undermining democratic principles.

How did the 1962 Constitution address fundamental rights?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution included provisions related to fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. However, these rights were subject to certain restrictions, including the supremacy of the President's authority.

What was the issue with the electoral system introduced by the 1962 Constitution?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution introduced a system of Basic Democracy, in which the President appointed a large number of non-elected representatives at various levels of government. This system was widely criticized as undemocratic and lacking in true representation of the people's will.

What was the role of the President in the 1962 Constitution?

Answer: The President had sweeping powers under the 1962 Constitution, including the power to dissolve the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister, and rule by presidential proclamation in case of an emergency.

How did the 1962 Constitution impact regional disparities in Pakistan?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution provided for a strong central government, which was perceived as undermining the autonomy of provinces and leading to centralization of power. This issue led to discontent among various provinces, particularly East Pakistan, which eventually resulted in the separation of East Pakistan from West Pakistan in 1971.

Why was the 1962 Constitution eventually abrogated?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution was abrogated by a military coup in 1969, as it faced widespread criticism and controversies on various fronts, including concentration of power in the President, issues related to representation and electoral system, and regional disparities.

What were some of the consequences of the 1962 Constitution in Pakistan's history?

Answer: The 1962 Constitution had significant consequences in Pakistan's history, including the concentration of power in the hands of the President, erosion of democratic principles, discontent among provinces, and eventual abrogation by a military coup. It led to further constitutional developments and reforms in the country's governance structure.

The 1962 Constitution

The 1962 Constitution of Pakistan, also known as the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, was adopted on 1st March 1962 and remained in effect until it was abrogated by a military coup in 1969. It was the first constitution of Pakistan that was promulgated by a military regime led by General Ayub Khan, who assumed power through a coup in 1958. The 1962 Constitution aimed to establish a presidential form of government with a strong central authority, but it faced various criticisms and controversies during its short-lived existence. The 1962 Constitution introduced several key features in the governance structure of Pakistan. It established a federal system of government, with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government. The President had sweeping powers, including the power to dissolve the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, appoint and dismiss the Prime Minister, and rule by presidential proclamation in case of an emergency. The Prime Minister and other members of the Cabinet were appointed by the President and were accountable to him. The 1962 Constitution also included provisions related to fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. However, these rights were subject to certain restrictions, including the supremacy of the President's authority. The Constitution also provided for a bicameral legislature, consisting of a National Assembly and a Senate, with members elected through indirect elections. Despite its attempt to establish a stable governance structure, the 1962 Constitution faced criticism on several fronts. One of the main criticisms was that it concentrated excessive power in the hands of the President, making him virtually a dictator. The President had the authority to dissolve the National Assembly and provincial assemblies, suspend fundamental rights, and rule by presidential proclamation, which led to concerns about potential abuse of power and erosion of democratic principles. Another major controversy surrounding the 1962 Constitution was the issue of representation and electoral system. The Constitution introduced a system of Basic Democracy, in which the President appointed a large number of non-elected representatives at various levels of government, including the National Assembly and provincial assemblies. This system was widely criticized as undemocratic and lacking in true representation of the people's will. The 1962 Constitution also faced challenges in terms of regional disparities and demands for provincial autonomy. The Constitution provided for a strong central government, which was perceived as undermining the autonomy of provinces and leading to centralization of power. This issue led to discontent among various provinces, particularly East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), which eventually resulted in the East Pakistan crisis and the subsequent separation of East Pakistan from West Pakistan in 1971. In conclusion, the 1962 Constitution of Pakistan was a significant development in the constitutional history of the country, as it introduced a presidential form of government with a strong central authority. However, it faced criticism and controversies on various fronts, including concentration of power in the President, issues related to representation and electoral system, and regional disparities. The 1962 Constitution was eventually abrogated by a military coup in 1969, leading to further constitutional developments in Pakistan's history.