Wednesday, February 5, 2014

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Salient Features Of The Constitution Of 1973

Constitution Of 1973

Background:

After the debacle of 1971, the country faced serious political and constitutional problems. The Constitution of 1962 had been abolished. Zulifqar Ali Bhutto when took over the reins of the country, he gave a serious attention towards the framing of a new constitution for the country. The National assembly appointed a committee on 17th February, 1972. The committee was headed by Hafiz Pirzada to frame a draft constitution for the new constitution. The committee submitted the draft constitution in the National Assembly on 2nd February, 1973. The draft was passed by the assembly and the President gave his assent on April 12, 1973. It was promulgated on 14th August, 1973.

Salient Features Of The Constitution Of 1973:

a)    Written Constitution:

The constitution of 1973 is a written document. It consists of twelve parts comprising of 27 Chapters and 280 Articles. The twelve parts deals with the following topics.

Part One= Introductory Part
Part Two= Deals with Fundamental Rights
Part Three= Deals with the Federation Of Pakistan
Part Four= Deals with the Provinces
Part five= Deals with the links between Federation and Provinces
Part Six= Deals with the matters like finance, property and contracts.
Part Seven= Deals with Judiciary
Part Eight= Deals With Electoral System
Part Nine= Deals with Islamic Provisions
Part Ten= Deals with emergency
Part Eleven= Deals with Amendment Procedure
Part Twelve= Deals with Miscellaneous matters.

b)    Introductory:

The constitution of 1973 commences with an introductory in which Objective Resolution is included which declares God’s sovereignty over the Universe.

c)    Rigid Constitution:

It is a rigid Constitution means it is not easy to make amendment to it. only Two-third majority of both the houses of Parliament is required for any amendment.

d)    Federal System:

The constitution introduced a federal system in the country. According to this system, the country consisted of federal government and four provinces. President is the Head of the State.

e)    Federal system Of Government:

Unlike the Constitution of 1962, the Constitution of 1973 introduced a parliamentary system of Government in the country. Prime Minister is the Head of the government. He is the leader of the majority party in the parliament. He runs the affairs of the country with the help of a cabinet. The members of his cabinet are elected by the ministers of parliament. Prime Ministers enjoy wide powers.

f)    Bicameral Legislature:

Unlike the constitution of 1956 and 1962, this constitution set up a bicameral legislature comprising of a National Assembly (Majlis-e-Shoora) and a Senate. The tenure of the National Assembly is five years. The Senators are elected for the term of 6 years. Half of the members of Senate retire after every three years.

g)    Direct Elections:

The Constitution of 1973 provides for a direct system of election to the members of national and provisional assemblies. The elections are held on adult franchise basis.

h)    Fundamental Rights:

This constitution guarantees the following fundamental rights to all citizens, these are:

i) Security of person and property
ii) Safeguard against slavery and forced labour
iii) Freedom of Movement
iv) Freedom Of Speech
v) Freedom Of Peaceful assembly
vi) Freedom to hold property
vii) Freedom to earn livelihood
viii) Equality before law
ix) Freedom to profess religion
x) Protection of language and culture

j) Independent Judiciary:

This constitution has set up independent judiciary in the country. The Judges are appointed by the President of Pakistan but they cannot be removed from services without the recommendations of Supreme Judicial Council.

k) High Treason:

This constitution declares that any unlawful abolishment of the constitution of Pakistan would be considered a high treason.

l) Rule Of Law:

The constitution has established rule of law in the country. According to this constitution the people of Pakistan are guaranteed their fundamental rights and all of them are equal before law.

m) National Language:

Urdu has been declared national and English as an official language.

n) Single Citizenship:

This constitution has enforced the principle of single citizenship in Pakistan. According to this provision, the duties and rights of the citizens are determined by the federal constitution only. Thus throughout the country the people are the citizens of Pakistan only.

o) Principle Of Policy:

The following principles of policy have been laid down in the constitution of 1973.

•    Local Bodies will be set up for solving local problems.
•    The parochial prejudices will be discouraged.
•    The women shall be given equal representation in all spheres of life.
•    The rights of minorities will be protected.
•    Links with Muslim countries will be promoted.
•    People from all parts of the country allowed to serve in Armed Forces.
•    State shall promote social justice.

p) Islamic Provisions:

The Constitution included following Islamic provisions:
•    Country was named as Islamic Republic Of Pakistan.
•    God’s sovereignty was declared over the universe and authority delegated by Him is a sacred trust.
•    Islam was declared as a State religion of Pakistan.
•    Teachings of Holy Quran and Arabic made compulsory in the country.
•    Muslims shall be allowed to mould their lives according to the teachings of Islam.
•    Prime Minister and President should be Muslims.
•    During oath-taking ceremony, both Prime Minister and President must declare that they believe in the Oneness of God/Almighty Allah, the sacred revealed books of Allah with the Holy Quran being the last of all and the Prophet hood of Muhammad (PBUH) as the last prophet of Allah.
•    Parliament was given the Islamic name as Majlis-e-Shoora.
•    Establishment of Council of Islamic Ideology to bring all the existing laws into conformity with the injunctions of Holy Quran and Sunnah and advice the President, National Assembly, Senate, Governor or Provincial Assemblies on Islamic matters.
•    Promotion of friendly relations with the Islamic countries be promoted.

q) Referendum:

This constitution allows the President to hold referendum on national issues of extreme importance. Prime Minister can also ask the President to hold referendum on any national issue.

Critical Analysis:

In light of the previous experience, the Constitution of 1973 was more Islamic in character than the previous ones. Emphasis was made to establish a real Islamic system in all aspects of social life. Keeping this objective in mind, more Islamic provisions were laid down in the Constitution of 1973. The Constitution recognized Islam as the religion of the country and enjoined upon the State to serve the cause of Islam and to bring all existing laws in conformity with Islam. The Islamic Advisory Council was set up to recommend ways and means to bring existing laws of the country in conformity with the Islamic principles.

The Constitution of 1973 remained in force for nearly four years. It was, however, suspended by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, who imposed Martial Law in the country on July 5, 1979. However, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq who ran the country with Martial Law passed the Eighth Amendment in the Constitution in 1985. This Amendment empowered the President to dissolve the National Assembly under Article 58(2) b. This Article was later repealed by the Parliament during Nawaz Sharif's era through Thirteenth Amendment introduced on April 1, 1997. The Thirteenth Amendment was in turn repealed by the Legal Framework Order of 2002, which effectively restored the discretionary powers of the President enacted by the Eighth Amendment.

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