1956 Constitution

Main article: Constitution of Pakistan of 1956

Following the adoption of a constitution in India in 1950, Pakistan's lawmakers were incentified to work on their
constitution. Prime Minister Muhammad Ali and his government officials worked with the opposition parties in the
country to formulate a constitution for Pakistan.^[15]

Finally, the joint work led to the promulgation of the first set of the constitution on 23 March 1956—a day when
Pakistan celebrates its Republic Day over the adoption of the constitution. The constitution provided for
parliamentary form of government with a unicameral legislature.^[15] It officially adopted Pakistan as "Islamic
Republic" and the principle of parity was introduced. Its features were:

• Islamic Republic of Pakistan^[15] – Official name of the country was adopted


• Objectives Resolution – The objective resolution was included as preamble by the constitution.


• System of government – Parliamentary with a prime minister as head of government.


• Unicameral Legislature – A single house, only a National Assembly that would consist of 300 members; 150
  members from each East and West Pakistan


• President – Required to be a Muslim and ceremonial head of state. In case of internal or external danger
  she/he could declare a state of emergency in the country.
• Islamic law – No law would be passed against the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.


• Independent Judiciary – The Supreme Court as an apex court – a final arbitrator of all the decisions.


• Fundamental rights included freedoms of movement, speech and, profession and profess religion, right to
  life, liberty, and property.
• Language – English, Urdu and Bengali were made national languages.

By the constitution, Iskander Mirza assumed the presidency but his constant involvement in national affairs, as
opposed to Constitution, dismissed four elected prime ministers in two years. Under public pressure, Mirza
upheld the coup d'état in 1958, thus virtually suspending the constitution. Shortly afterwards General Ayub Khan
deposed Mirza and declared himself president.^[16]

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