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Pakistan Studies · Topic 2

Constitution of Pakistan

The Objectives Resolution, the three constitutions and key articles and amendments.

Explanation 230 MCQs Free timed quizzes
Pakistan Studies

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Explanation

Expect questions on dates, on the main features of each constitution and on well-known articles and amendments of the 1973 Constitution.

Constitutional history

  • Pakistan was first governed under the Government of India Act 1935, as amended by the Indian Independence Act 1947.
  • Objectives Resolution: passed on 12 March 1949, moved by Liaquat Ali Khan; it is the preamble of every constitution since.
  • First constitution: enforced on 23 March 1956; Pakistan became an Islamic Republic and Iskander Mirza the first President.
  • Martial law was imposed on 7 October 1958 and the 1956 Constitution was abrogated.
  • Second constitution: 1962 (enforced 8 June 1962) under Ayub Khan, with a presidential system.
  • Third constitution: passed on 10 April 1973 and enforced on 14 August 1973; parliamentary system; Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became Prime Minister.

Key articles of the 1973 Constitution

  • Article 1: Pakistan is a Federal Republic, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
  • Article 2: Islam is the state religion. Article 2A: the Objectives Resolution made a substantive part (added in 1985).
  • Article 6: high treason. Article 25A: free and compulsory education for children aged 5 to 16.
  • Article 41: the President; Article 91: the Cabinet and Prime Minister.
  • Article 213: Chief Election Commissioner. Article 251: Urdu is the national language.
  • Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora) has two houses: the National Assembly and the Senate.

Important amendments

  • 8th Amendment (1985): gave the President power to dissolve the National Assembly under Article 58(2)(b).
  • 13th Amendment (1997): removed Article 58(2)(b); the 17th (2003) restored it.
  • 18th Amendment (2010): removed 58(2)(b) again, abolished the Concurrent Legislative List, renamed NWFP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and added Article 25A.
  • 21st Amendment (2015): military courts for terrorism cases.
  • 25th Amendment (2018): merged FATA with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
  • 26th Amendment (2024): changed how the Chief Justice of Pakistan is appointed and created constitutional benches.

Practise

Constitution of Pakistan MCQs

Try each question, then open the answer. MCQs 1–50 of 230.

1.Until its first constitution, Pakistan was governed under which law?

  1. A. Government of India Act 1935, as adapted
  2. B. Indian Councils Act 1909
  3. C. Government of India Act 1919
  4. D. Objectives Resolution 1949
Show answer

Answer: A. Government of India Act 1935, as adapted

Pakistan used the Government of India Act 1935, adapted by the Indian Independence Act 1947, as its interim constitution.

2.On which date was the Objectives Resolution passed?

  1. A. 23 March 1949
  2. B. 7 March 1949
  3. C. 14 August 1949
  4. D. 12 March 1949
Show answer

Answer: D. 12 March 1949

The Constituent Assembly passed the Objectives Resolution on 12 March 1949.

3.Who moved the Objectives Resolution in the Constituent Assembly?

  1. A. Khawaja Nazimuddin
  2. B. Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani
  3. C. Liaquat Ali Khan
  4. D. Quaid-e-Azam
Show answer

Answer: C. Liaquat Ali Khan

Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan moved it on 7 March 1949.

4.The Objectives Resolution was moved on which date?

  1. A. 12 March 1949
  2. B. 1 March 1949
  3. C. 23 March 1949
  4. D. 7 March 1949
Show answer

Answer: D. 7 March 1949

It was moved on 7 March and passed on 12 March 1949.

5.According to the Objectives Resolution, sovereignty over the universe belongs to whom?

  1. A. Allah Almighty
  2. B. The people of Pakistan
  3. C. The Constituent Assembly
  4. D. The Parliament
Show answer

Answer: A. Allah Almighty

The resolution begins by stating that sovereignty belongs to Allah alone, exercised by the people as a sacred trust.

6.The Objectives Resolution became a substantive part of the constitution through which article?

  1. A. Article 227
  2. B. Article 2A
  3. C. Article 2
  4. D. Article 31
Show answer

Answer: B. Article 2A

Article 2A, inserted in 1985, made the Objectives Resolution an operative part of the constitution.

7.Article 2A was added to the constitution by which order or amendment?

  1. A. 18th Amendment, 2010
  2. B. Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order, 1985
  3. C. 17th Amendment, 2003
  4. D. 1st Amendment, 1974
Show answer

Answer: B. Revival of the Constitution of 1973 Order, 1985

General Zia-ul-Haq's Revival of the Constitution Order 1985 inserted Article 2A; the 8th Amendment validated it.

8.Which committee was set up in 1949 to frame the principles of the constitution?

  1. A. Basic Principles Committee
  2. B. Council of Islamic Ideology
  3. C. Constitution Commission
  4. D. Law Reforms Commission
Show answer

Answer: A. Basic Principles Committee

The Basic Principles Committee was formed on 12 March 1949, the day the Objectives Resolution passed.

9.Which Governor-General dissolved the first Constituent Assembly in 1954?

  1. A. Iskander Mirza
  2. B. Khawaja Nazimuddin
  3. C. Quaid-e-Azam
  4. D. Ghulam Muhammad
Show answer

Answer: D. Ghulam Muhammad

Ghulam Muhammad dissolved the first Constituent Assembly on 24 October 1954.

10.Which court case challenged the dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly?

  1. A. Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan case
  2. B. Nusrat Bhutto case
  3. C. Dosso case
  4. D. Asma Jilani case
Show answer

Answer: A. Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan case

Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan, President of the Assembly, challenged the dissolution in the Sindh Chief Court.

11.Which judge first used the "doctrine of necessity" in Pakistan?

  1. A. Justice A. R. Cornelius
  2. B. Justice Muhammad Munir
  3. C. Justice Hamoodur Rahman
  4. D. Justice Anwar-ul-Haq
Show answer

Answer: B. Justice Muhammad Munir

Chief Justice Muhammad Munir upheld the Governor-General's dissolution of the Assembly in 1955.

12.The One Unit scheme merged the provinces of West Pakistan in which year?

  1. A. 1956
  2. B. 1955
  3. C. 1954
  4. D. 1958
Show answer

Answer: B. 1955

One Unit was created on 14 October 1955, making West Pakistan a single province.

13.One Unit was abolished in which year?

  1. A. 1971
  2. B. 1970
  3. C. 1969
  4. D. 1972
Show answer

Answer: B. 1970

General Yahya Khan dissolved One Unit on 1 July 1970, restoring the four provinces.

14.Pakistan's first constitution was enforced on which date?

  1. A. 29 February 1956
  2. B. 23 March 1956
  3. C. 14 August 1956
  4. D. 8 June 1956
Show answer

Answer: B. 23 March 1956

The 1956 Constitution came into force on 23 March 1956.

15.The 1956 Constitution was passed by the Constituent Assembly on which date?

  1. A. 12 March 1956
  2. B. 1 January 1956
  3. C. 23 March 1956
  4. D. 29 February 1956
Show answer

Answer: D. 29 February 1956

The second Constituent Assembly adopted it on 29 February 1956.

16.Who was Prime Minister when the 1956 Constitution was made?

  1. A. H. S. Suhrawardy
  2. B. Chaudhry Muhammad Ali
  3. C. Muhammad Ali Bogra
  4. D. I. I. Chundrigar
Show answer

Answer: B. Chaudhry Muhammad Ali

Chaudhry Muhammad Ali was Prime Minister when the 1956 Constitution was framed.

17.Who became the first President of Pakistan under the 1956 Constitution?

  1. A. Ayub Khan
  2. B. Ghulam Muhammad
  3. C. Khawaja Nazimuddin
  4. D. Iskander Mirza
Show answer

Answer: D. Iskander Mirza

Major General Iskander Mirza became the first President on 23 March 1956.

18.Under the 1956 Constitution, Pakistan was given which name?

  1. A. Federal Republic of Pakistan
  2. B. Dominion of Pakistan
  3. C. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  4. D. Republic of Pakistan
Show answer

Answer: C. Islamic Republic of Pakistan

The 1956 Constitution named the country the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

19.How many articles did the 1956 Constitution have?

  1. A. 250
  2. B. 280
  3. C. 200
  4. D. 234
Show answer

Answer: D. 234

The 1956 Constitution had 234 articles, 13 parts and 6 schedules.

20.What kind of legislature did the 1956 Constitution provide?

  1. A. Bicameral
  2. B. Unicameral
  3. C. Tricameral
  4. D. No legislature
Show answer

Answer: B. Unicameral

The 1956 Constitution had a single house, the National Assembly.

21.The 1956 Constitution was abrogated on which date?

  1. A. 25 March 1969
  2. B. 8 June 1958
  3. C. 27 October 1958
  4. D. 7 October 1958
Show answer

Answer: D. 7 October 1958

President Iskander Mirza abrogated it and declared martial law on 7 October 1958.

22.Who was appointed Chief Martial Law Administrator in October 1958?

  1. A. General Ayub Khan
  2. B. General Musa
  3. C. Iskander Mirza
  4. D. General Yahya Khan
Show answer

Answer: A. General Ayub Khan

Iskander Mirza made General Ayub Khan Chief Martial Law Administrator; Ayub took over the presidency on 27 October 1958.

23.Which commission prepared the ground for the 1962 Constitution?

  1. A. Munir Commission
  2. B. Cornelius Commission
  3. C. Shahabuddin Commission
  4. D. Hamoodur Rahman Commission
Show answer

Answer: C. Shahabuddin Commission

The Constitution Commission under Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin reported in 1961.

24.The 1962 Constitution came into force on which date?

  1. A. 14 August 1962
  2. B. 8 June 1962
  3. C. 1 March 1962
  4. D. 23 March 1962
Show answer

Answer: B. 8 June 1962

It was promulgated on 1 March and enforced on 8 June 1962.

25.What system of government did the 1962 Constitution provide?

  1. A. Presidential
  2. B. Confederal
  3. C. Parliamentary
  4. D. Semi-presidential
Show answer

Answer: A. Presidential

The 1962 Constitution gave Ayub Khan a strong presidential system.

26.Under the 1962 Constitution, the President was elected by whom?

  1. A. Direct adult vote
  2. B. The National Assembly
  3. C. Basic Democrats
  4. D. The provincial assemblies
Show answer

Answer: C. Basic Democrats

Members of the Basic Democracies (80,000 at first) formed the electoral college.

27.The Basic Democracies system was introduced in which year?

  1. A. 1960
  2. B. 1958
  3. C. 1962
  4. D. 1959
Show answer

Answer: D. 1959

Ayub Khan introduced the Basic Democracies Order in October 1959.

28.The 1962 Constitution originally named the country what?

  1. A. Republic of Pakistan
  2. B. Islamic State of Pakistan
  3. C. Islamic Republic of Pakistan
  4. D. Federal Republic of Pakistan
Show answer

Answer: A. Republic of Pakistan

It was called the Republic of Pakistan; "Islamic" was restored by the First Amendment in 1963.

29.How many articles did the 1962 Constitution have?

  1. A. 280
  2. B. 250
  3. C. 200
  4. D. 234
Show answer

Answer: B. 250

The 1962 Constitution had 250 articles and 5 schedules.

30.The 1962 Constitution was abrogated in which year?

  1. A. 1968
  2. B. 1972
  3. C. 1969
  4. D. 1971
Show answer

Answer: C. 1969

It was abrogated when General Yahya Khan imposed martial law on 25 March 1969.

31.Pakistan's first general elections on the basis of adult franchise were held in which year?

  1. A. 1965
  2. B. 1962
  3. C. 1970
  4. D. 1977
Show answer

Answer: C. 1970

The first nationwide direct elections were held in December 1970.

32.Which order governed the 1970 elections?

  1. A. Political Parties Order
  2. B. Legal Framework Order
  3. C. Basic Democracies Order
  4. D. Provisional Constitution Order
Show answer

Answer: B. Legal Framework Order

Yahya Khan's Legal Framework Order 1970 set the rules for the elections.

33.The 1973 Constitution was passed by the National Assembly on which date?

  1. A. 23 March 1973
  2. B. 12 April 1973
  3. C. 10 April 1973
  4. D. 14 August 1973
Show answer

Answer: C. 10 April 1973

The National Assembly passed it on 10 April 1973.

34.The 1973 Constitution was authenticated by the President on which date?

  1. A. 10 April 1973
  2. B. 12 April 1973
  3. C. 21 April 1973
  4. D. 14 August 1973
Show answer

Answer: B. 12 April 1973

President Zulfikar Ali Bhutto authenticated it on 12 April 1973.

35.The 1973 Constitution came into force on which date?

  1. A. 23 March 1973
  2. B. 14 August 1973
  3. C. 12 April 1973
  4. D. 10 April 1973
Show answer

Answer: B. 14 August 1973

It came into force on 14 August 1973.

36.Before 1973, Pakistan was run under which interim constitution?

  1. A. Constitution of 1962
  2. B. Legal Framework Order 1970
  3. C. Interim Constitution of 1972
  4. D. Government of India Act 1935
Show answer

Answer: C. Interim Constitution of 1972

The Interim Constitution was adopted in April 1972 and served until August 1973.

37.Who became Prime Minister when the 1973 Constitution came into force?

  1. A. Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
  2. B. Nurul Amin
  3. C. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
  4. D. Mumtaz Bhutto
Show answer

Answer: C. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto became Prime Minister on 14 August 1973.

38.Who became President when the 1973 Constitution came into force?

  1. A. Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
  2. B. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
  3. C. Ghulam Ishaq Khan
  4. D. Nurul Amin
Show answer

Answer: A. Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry

Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry was elected President in August 1973.

39.Who was the first Vice-President of Pakistan?

  1. A. Abdul Hafeez Pirzada
  2. B. Mumtaz Bhutto
  3. C. Nurul Amin
  4. D. Fazal Ilahi Chaudhry
Show answer

Answer: C. Nurul Amin

Nurul Amin was Vice-President for a few days in December 1971, the only person ever to hold the office.

40.How many articles did the original 1973 Constitution have?

  1. A. 250
  2. B. 234
  3. C. 290
  4. D. 280
Show answer

Answer: D. 280

The 1973 Constitution had 280 articles in 12 parts.

41.What kind of government does the 1973 Constitution provide?

  1. A. Unitary
  2. B. Semi-presidential
  3. C. Presidential
  4. D. Parliamentary
Show answer

Answer: D. Parliamentary

The 1973 Constitution set up a federal parliamentary system.

42.What is the name of Pakistan's Parliament?

  1. A. Majlis-e-Aam
  2. B. Federal Assembly
  3. C. Majlis-e-Shoora
  4. D. National Council
Show answer

Answer: C. Majlis-e-Shoora

Article 50 names the Parliament the Majlis-e-Shoora, made up of the President and two houses.

43.Under Article 50, the Parliament consists of the President and which two houses?

  1. A. Senate and Council of Ministers
  2. B. Senate and Provincial Assemblies
  3. C. National Assembly and Supreme Court
  4. D. National Assembly and Senate
Show answer

Answer: D. National Assembly and Senate

The Majlis-e-Shoora is the President, the National Assembly and the Senate.

44.Which article of the 1973 Constitution declares Pakistan a Federal Republic?

  1. A. Article 3
  2. B. Article 1
  3. C. Article 5
  4. D. Article 2
Show answer

Answer: B. Article 1

Article 1 declares Pakistan a Federal Republic called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

45.Which article declares Islam the state religion of Pakistan?

  1. A. Article 1
  2. B. Article 31
  3. C. Article 2A
  4. D. Article 2
Show answer

Answer: D. Article 2

Article 2 states that Islam shall be the state religion.

46.Which article deals with the elimination of exploitation?

  1. A. Article 8
  2. B. Article 3
  3. C. Article 4
  4. D. Article 38
Show answer

Answer: B. Article 3

Article 3 says the state shall eliminate all forms of exploitation.

47.Which article says everyone is entitled to be dealt with in accordance with law?

  1. A. Article 9
  2. B. Article 4
  3. C. Article 5
  4. D. Article 10
Show answer

Answer: B. Article 4

Article 4 gives the right to be dealt with in accordance with law.

48.Which article requires loyalty to the state and obedience to the constitution?

  1. A. Article 5
  2. B. Article 6
  3. C. Article 4
  4. D. Article 7
Show answer

Answer: A. Article 5

Article 5 says loyalty to the state is the basic duty of every citizen.

49.Which article of the constitution deals with high treason?

  1. A. Article 12
  2. B. Article 9
  3. C. Article 6
  4. D. Article 5
Show answer

Answer: C. Article 6

Article 6 makes abrogating or subverting the constitution high treason.

50.Which article declares laws inconsistent with fundamental rights to be void?

  1. A. Article 8
  2. B. Article 199
  3. C. Article 25
  4. D. Article 9
Show answer

Answer: A. Article 8

Article 8 voids laws that conflict with the fundamental rights.

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