The Constitution of 1973 Pakistan

On April 17 , 1972 the National Assembly of Pakistan Appointed a Committee of 25 members to Prepare a draft of the Permanent Constitution of Pakistan . Mahmud Ali Kasuri was Elected Chairman of the Committee. On Octobor 20 , 1972, The Draft bill for the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was signed by all the Leaders of the Parliamentary Groups in the National Assembly . The Draft bill of the Constitution incorporated the suggestions of the opposition also . A bill to provide a Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan waas Introduced in the National Assembly on April 10 , 1973 and Endorsed by President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto , on April 12 , 1973. The Constitution was Promulgated on August 14, 1973 . It Consist of a Pre-amble , 280 Articles and Six Schedules .

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1973 :

ISLAMIC PROVISIONS : Pakistan was named as " Islamic Republic of Pakistan ". Only a Muslim should be Appointed as the President or the Prime Minister of Pakistan . No Law has to be Passed against the Injuctions of the Holy Quran and Sunnah and the Existing laws to be made Islamic in Character . Islam was Declared as the Religion of the State .

PRINCIPLES OF POLICY : The Principles of Policy Intended Islamic way of Life , Promotion of the Institution of Local Government , Full participation of women in National Life , Protection of Minorities , Prommotion of social and Economic well being of the People , and Strengthening the bonds with the Muslim World .

FUNDAMENTAL POLICY : Under the Constitution the Fundamental rights included security of Person , Safeguards as to Arrest and Detention , Prohibition of Slavery and Forced Labor , Protection against Double Punishment , Freedom of Speech , Freedom of Movement , Freedom of Associations , Freedom to Profess religion and Safeguards as the Religious Institutions, non Discrimination of access to Public Places and in service preservation of Language , Script and Culture .
           The President Must be a Muslim and Not less than 45 Years of Age elected by the Members of the Parliament . The Turn of Office of the President should be 5 Years . He can be Impeached by the Parliament . He could issue Ordinances when the Parliament is not in Session .

FEDERATION AND PROVINCES : Parliament had Exclusive power to make Laws in respect to Federal make the Laws in Respect of Federal Lagislature . Both Parliament and Provincial Assemblies had Power To make laws in Respect of Subject in the Current List .

NATIONAL FINANCE COMMISSION : Under the Constitution of 1973 a National Finance Commission was set up consisting of Federal and Provincial Finance Ministers and other Members to advice on Distribution of Reserves Between the Centre and the Provinces .

JUDICIARY : Under the Constitution of 1973 the Judiciary enjoyed a Full Supremacy over the other two Organs of the State .

NATIONAL LANGUAGE : Urdu was declared sole Nation Language of Islamic Republic of Pakistan .

ISLAMIC PROVISIONS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1973 :

1 . That Pakistan Shall be known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan .
2 . The President and the Prime Minister must be Muslims . Beside the President and the Prime Minister , all federal and Provincial Minister Shall declare to Protect Islamic Ideology at the Time of Taking Oath .
3 . The State shall Endeavor , as Repects of the Muslims of Paksitan :
[a] To make the teaching of Quran and Islamiat Compulsory , to Encourage and Facilitate the learning of Arabic Language and to secure correct and Exact Printing of the Holy Quran .
[b] To Promote unity and the observance of the Islamic Moral Standards .[
[c] To secure Proper organisation of Zakar , Ushr , Auqaf and the Mosques.
4 . All existing Laws shall be Brought in the Conformity with the Injunctions of Islam, and no Laws shall be enacted which is Repugnant to Such Injunctions .