CONSTITUTION OF 1956 | SALIENT FEATURES OF CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN 1956 | CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY |

SALIENT FEATURES OF CONSTITUTION OF PAKISTAN 1956
INTRODUCTION:
When Pakistan came into being, the Government of India Act 1935 was adopted as an Interim Constitution with changes made to meet the requirements of the new state of Pakistan.

CONSTITUTION OF 1956:
The constitution of 1956 was put in- march 23 1956 and was abrogated because it could not operate smoothly.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE 1956 CONSTITUTION:
The Salient Features of the constitution of are as under:

NATURE :
The of the constitution of 1956 is fundamentally British.

UNICAMERAL LEGISLATURE :
The central legislature consisted on one house only which was called the National Assembly. No Second house was there.

FEDERAL SYSTEM :
According to the constitution of the Federal System was introduced in the country.

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM:
The constitution of 1956 provided parliamentary form of Govt.
The Prime Minister enjoyed more powers than the President.

WRITTEN :
The constitution of 1956 is written in form. It consisted 13 chapter, 234 Article and 6 schedules.

FREEDOM OF JUDICIARY :
The constitution of 1956 recognized the independence of Judiciary. The Supreme Court of Pakistan was entitied to explain and interpret the constitution.

FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS :
Fundamental rights of the people were guaranteed in the constitution and these were to be protected by the courts of law.

RIGHTS OF MINORITIES :
The constitution of 1956 protects the rights of minorities so that they may perform their religious obligation freely.

SUPREMACY OF ISLAMIC LAWS :
In the constitution of 1956, Shariah was declared the basis for legislative system of Pakistan.

DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF STATE POLICY :
The constitution laid down certain Directive principles of State policy for the Guidance of the Government. They would serve simply as ideals which the state should strive to achieve.

EMERYGENCY POWERS OF THE PRESIDENT :
In the constitution of 1956 it was the discretion of the president to declare the emergency.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE :
Urdu and Bangali were made official languages of Pakistan. It was also declared English to remain as office language for a maximum period 25 years.

NAME OF THE COUNTRY :
The country was named as "Islamic Republic of Pakistan" in the constitution of 1956.

ISLMAIC PROVISIONS :
The objectives resolution was included as a preamble of the constitution. Islam was the state's religion.

LENGTHY CONSTITUTION :
The constitution of 1956 was a lengthy one. The reason for its being lengthy was that the framer not only framed the fundamental principles but administrative details were also given.

PARTLY RIGID :
The constitution of 1956 is partly rigid and partly flexible. The method of amendment was not difficuit.

PRESIDENTIAL FORM :
The constitution of 1956 adopted certain features of presidential form of Government.

DIRECT ELECTION :
In the constitution of 1956 the method of direct election was adopted in the country.

SINGLE CITIZENSHIP :
There was only single citizenship in the country.