The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1956.

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The 29th February and 23rd March of 1956 are the significant occasions which marked  milestones in the history of Pakistan. The then Constituent Assembly succeeded to pass the first written constitution on 29th February which was named as the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1956. However, the Constitution was not implemented on this said day. The then far sighted and forward-thinking proponents of democratic traditions chose the 23rd March as the implementation day of the Constitution.  The rational and wisdom behind choosing this day was evident and apparent. This day was the day when Resolution of Pakistan was passed in Lahore at Meenar e Pakistan, the present-day Iqbal Park. This day was named as Yum-e-Pakistan, Pakistan Day by the founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.  The said Constitution was implemented on this historical day: 23rd March of 1956.

The state affairs from the independence in 1947 until 1956 when the Constitution was formed were mainly run by the Government of Indian Act, 1935 which was adopted by Pakistan with certain modifications. The Constitution recognized Pakistan as a Islamic Republic declaring Islam its official religion. A legislature at federal level was introduced, which was bicameral, consisting of two houses: National Assembly, which was also called lower house, and Senate which was also called upper house. The then Pakistan was comprising two provinces: West Pakistan and East Pakistan, the present-day Bangladesh and certain other territories which were not part of the provinces but they were under the control of the Federation . A Parliamentary system was introduced in the first written constitution with a president as a head of the state. The president was to be elected through electoral college and the prime minister from among the majority party.

The full text of the first written Constitution is given at he link below:

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Part 1

part-1-of-1956-1

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Part 2

part-2-of-1956

 

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