The Objectives Resolution (1949)
The Objectives Resolution was the first constitutional document that proved to be the ‘foundation’ of the constitutional developments in Pakistan. It provided parameters and sublime principles to the legislators. It made the constitution-making process easy task setting some particular objectives before them that would be acceptable to the people of Pakistan who had suffered a lot under the Hindu-dominated majority. The Resolution was moved by Liaquat Ali Khan, the then Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and approved on March 12, 1949.
The objective resolution:
Features:
Sovereignty:
1. Sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone.
A sacred trust:
2. The 2nd principle is an extension of the first which says that the authority which He has delegated to the state of Pakistan through its people for being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust.
The constitution:
3. The Constitution will be framed for sovereign, independent state of Pakistan.
The representatives of the people:
4. The state shall exercise its power through the representatives of the people.
5. Principles of Democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam will be fully observed.
Islamic principles:
6. Muslims shall be enabled to organize their lives in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Minorities:
7. The 7th principle outlined in the OR of March 1949 is that the minorities will have freedom to freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures.
Human rights:
8. The 8th principle is very similar to the 7th that says Provisions for safeguarding the legitimate interests of minorities, backward and depressed classes. So in addition to the minorities the OR was also talking about the backward and the depressed classes.
Federation:
9. Pakistan shall be a Federation with autonomous units.
State’s sovereignty:
10. State’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be protected.
International norms:
11. People of Pakistan should have an opportunity to prosper and to attain their rightful place in the comity of nations and make contribution towards international peace progress and happiness of humanity.
Importance
The Objectives Resolution is a basic and primary document of the constitutional history of Pakistan. It is a framework that provides mechanism to achieve goals for a better life of the people of Pakistan. Whenever we discuss history of constitution making even history of politics OR is very important. It’s important that it embraces centrality of Islam to polity sustaining their links with the pre-independence period and the post independence period. The AIML leaders were modernist Muslims not in favour of an orthodox religious state. Therefore, they selected the middle way abiding by the Islamic laws and the international democratic values. The Resolution remained ‘Preamble of all the constitutions due to its importance. And during the period of General Zia-ul-Haq OR was incorporated in the constitution of Pakistan as the article 2-A.
The Objectives Resolution was the first constitutional document that proved to be the ‘foundation’ of the constitutional developments in Pakistan. It provided parameters and sublime principles to the legislators. It made the constitution-making process easy task setting some particular objectives before them that would be acceptable to the people of Pakistan who had suffered a lot under the Hindu-dominated majority. The Resolution was moved by Liaquat Ali Khan, the then Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and approved on March 12, 1949.
The objective resolution:
Features:
Sovereignty:
1. Sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone.
A sacred trust:
2. The 2nd principle is an extension of the first which says that the authority which He has delegated to the state of Pakistan through its people for being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust.
The constitution:
3. The Constitution will be framed for sovereign, independent state of Pakistan.
The representatives of the people:
4. The state shall exercise its power through the representatives of the people.
5. Principles of Democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated by Islam will be fully observed.
Islamic principles:
6. Muslims shall be enabled to organize their lives in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Quran and the Sunnah.
Minorities:
7. The 7th principle outlined in the OR of March 1949 is that the minorities will have freedom to freely profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures.
Human rights:
8. The 8th principle is very similar to the 7th that says Provisions for safeguarding the legitimate interests of minorities, backward and depressed classes. So in addition to the minorities the OR was also talking about the backward and the depressed classes.
Federation:
9. Pakistan shall be a Federation with autonomous units.
State’s sovereignty:
10. State’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be protected.
International norms:
11. People of Pakistan should have an opportunity to prosper and to attain their rightful place in the comity of nations and make contribution towards international peace progress and happiness of humanity.
Importance
The Objectives Resolution is a basic and primary document of the constitutional history of Pakistan. It is a framework that provides mechanism to achieve goals for a better life of the people of Pakistan. Whenever we discuss history of constitution making even history of politics OR is very important. It’s important that it embraces centrality of Islam to polity sustaining their links with the pre-independence period and the post independence period. The AIML leaders were modernist Muslims not in favour of an orthodox religious state. Therefore, they selected the middle way abiding by the Islamic laws and the international democratic values. The Resolution remained ‘Preamble of all the constitutions due to its importance. And during the period of General Zia-ul-Haq OR was incorporated in the constitution of Pakistan as the article 2-A.
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