What is Constitution of Pakistan?
One of the most pressing tasks for the new [[government of Pakistan]] after the [[Bangladesh Liberation War]] was to draft a new constitution. When [[martial law]] was finally lifted, the Assembly was summoned in April 1972 on the basis of the 1970 election result in the former [[west Pakistan]] region. A committee was set up from a cross-section of [[Politician|politicians]] from different parties. There were disagreements within the committee to whether the new constitution should bring in [[Parliamentary system|parliamentary]] rule or a [[Presidential system|presidential]] system of government. There were also differing views over the question of [[provincial autonomy]]. It took the constitutional committee eight months before it submitted its report on 10th April 1973. ==Establishment== The draft constitution was passed by the [[Parliament of Pakistan|federal Assembly]] by 135 votes in favour, with three abstentions. It was brought into force on 14th August 1973, and [[Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto|Bhutto]] was elected prime minister by the National Assembly on 12th August. ==Features== The Constitution's main features were: I. Pakistan shall be a Federal Republic with a [[Parliamentary system]] of government. The prime minister shall be the head of government, elected from the majority party. II. The special position of [[Islam]] as the state religion shall be emphasized and both the prime minister and president are required to be [[Muslims]]. III. Pakistan shall be declared an [[Islamic republic]] by default. IV. A bill to amend the constitution shall need a two-thirds majority in the lower house and a majority in the upper house. V. All fundamental human rights shall be guaranteed but the stipulation was added that it was subject to reasonable restrictions imposed by law'. VI. The [[Supreme Court of Pakistan|supreme court]] and High Courts shall be given the power to enforce fundamental rights. VII. The [[President of Pakistan|president]] shall act in accordance with the binding advice of the [[Prime Mi