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Pak Studies History IGCSEPDF 116
181 pagesrevision 46928
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ii) The Constitution of Pakistan (1956)
Main Features of the 1956 Constitution
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The Parliament consisted of one house only — the National Assembly.
Total seats were 300 (150 from East Pakistan and 150 from West
Pakistan).
The Assembly had the authority to make laws for the whole country.
A Parliamentary form of government was adopted.
The President was the Head of State, and the Prime Minister was the
Head of Government.
The 1956 Constitution was the first Constitution of Pakistan, adopted
on 23 March 1956, officially declaring Pakistan as the “Islamic Republic of
Pakistan.” It replaced the Government of India Act 1935, which had been
used as an interim constitution since independence. The Constitution came
into force under Governor-General Iskander Mirza, who became the first
President of Pakistan.
Pakistan was officially declared an Islamic Republic, emphasizing its
ideological foundation.
The Objectives Resolution (1949) was included as the preamble, setting
out the guiding Islamic and democratic principles.
The Constitution was written and contained 234 articles.
It was rigid, meaning it could only be amended by a two-thirds majority in
the National Assembly.
The Constitution provided a federal form of government, dividing powers
between the Centre and the Provinces.
Both East and West Pakistan were given equal representation in the
National Assembly (despite East Pakistan’s larger population) to maintain
balance and unity.
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3. Federal System
5. Parliamentary System
4. Unicameral Legislature
2. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
1. Written and Rigid Constitution
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