Salient Features of 1973 Constitution of Pakistan

Constitution of PakistanConstitution of 1973 → Salient Features of 1973 Constitution of Pakistan

This article is on: Salient Features of the Constitution of 1973, the current Constitution of Pakistan.

After general elections of 1971, Pakistan People Party came in rule. On 17th April, 1972 a commission was formed by national assembly to make the draft for a new constitution. This draft was presented in assembly on 20th October, 1972. The draft made was given assent of President on 12th April, 1973.
The new constitution was enforced on 14th August, 1973 in the country and still the country is being ruled by this constitution.

SALIENT FEATURES OF CONSTITUTION OF 1973

Written Constitution
Just like the old constitutions of Pakistan, constitution of 1973 was also a written constitution.

Detailed Constitution
Constitution of 1973 was a detailed constitution with 250 articles, 12 parts and 7 schedules.

Preamble
Objective resolution was included in preamble of this constitution. It states that sovereignty belongs to Allah Almighty.

Name of Country
Name of country declared was “Islamic Republic of Pakistan.” Islam was declared as state religion.

National Language
The constitution declared Urdu as national language. However, English was made official language.

Federal System
According to the constitution, Pakistan shall be a federation where the units or the provinces shall be autonomous.

Form of Government
The constitution stated that there shall be parliamentary form of government where prime minister shall be the head of the government and president shall be the head of the state.

Bicameral System
The constitution of 1973 introduced bicameral system in the country. National assembly and Senate were the two houses introduced for legislature.

Fundamental Rights
Article 8-28 of the constitution gave fundamental rights for citizens of Pakistan.

Principles of Policy
Article 29-40 of the constitution introduced directive principles for state policy.

Rigid Constitution
Constitution of 1973 is a rigid constitution. At least two-third majority is required to amend the constitution.

Direct Elections
The constitution introduced method of direct elections for national as well as provincial assemblies.

Independence of Judiciary
The constitution declared that the judiciary shall be independent of executive.

Referendum
The constitution authorizes the president to hold referendum on any national issue.

Rule of Law
The 1973 constitution establishes rule of law in the country.

High Treason
According to the constitution, the act of unconstitutional abrogation of the constitution has been declared as act of high treason.