1962 constitution of Pakistan was enforced in the country from 8th of June 1962 to 25 of March 1969. It was given by General Muhammad Ayub Khan who abrogated the previous constitution by imposing martial law in the country. Mainly this constitution was in favor of one person, the president (General Muhammad Ayub Khan), which is why it had a presidential form of government in the country with extraordinary powers to the president. 1962 constitution was also based on objective resolution as its preamble.
Table of Contents
Salient Features of 1962 Constitution of Pakistan
Some salient features of 1962 constitution of Pakistan were the following:
- Written Constitution
- Rigid Constitution
- State Religion
- Unicameral Legislature
- Presidential Form of Government
- Indirect Elections
- Federal System
- Islamic Institutions
- Fundamental Rights
- Rights of Minorities
- Emergency Provisions
- Referendum
- National Language
1. Written Constitution
Like the 1956 constitution of Pakistan, this constitution was also a written constitution and it consisted of 250 Articles, 5 Schedules, and 12 Parts.
2. Rigid Constitution
The Constitution of 1962 was a rigid constitution and the procedure for amendment in the constitution was difficult, at least a two-thirds majority on a bill and its approval by the President was required for amendment.
3. State Religion
Islam was declared as the state religion and Pakistan was named as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. All the laws will be in accordance with the Quran and Sunnah.
4. Unicameral Legislature
Once again unicameral legislature was adopted in the country. There was only one house for legislation under the 1962 constitution which was the “National Assembly”. It has 156 members. The National Assembly and the President, both were part of Parliament.
5. Presidential Form of Government
Unlike the previous and the later constitutions, the 1962 Constitution of Pakistan provided the Presidential form of government in the country. The President was the head of state as well as the head of government with all executive powers and could appoint his cabinet for a term of five years.
6. Indirect Elections
Indirect elections were introduced in this constitution. The President was to be elected through electoral colleges.
7. Federal System
The federal system was introduced in the constitution of 1962, which consists of a central government and two provincial governments namely East Pakistan and West Pakistan.
8. Islamic Institutions
Following two Islamic institutions were introduced in the 1962 constitution of Pakistan:
- Advisory council of Islamic idealogy
- Islamic research institution
9. Fundamental Rights
The constitution of 1962 also ensures the fundamental rights of citizens of Pakistan such as security, equality, freedom, etc but not political fundamental rights as they were suspended.
10. Rights of Minorities
One of the salient features of 1962 Constitution of Pakistan was it also provided and protected the rights of minorities in the country.
11. Emergency Provisions
Emergency provisions were also added to this constitution and the President had the power to declare an emergency in the country and suspend the fundamental rights of the citizens of Pakistan.
12. Referendum
Like the Constitution of 1973, the Constitution of 1962 also introduced the referendum in the country.
13. National Language
Urdu and Bengali were the national languages once again under this constitution.
Conclusion
Salient features of 1962 constitution of Pakistan include a Written Constitution, Rigid Constitution, State Religion, Unicameral Legislature, Presidential Form of Government, Indirect Elections, Federal System, Islamic Institutions, Fundamental Rights, Rights of Minorities, Emergency Provisions, Referendum, and National Language. Although some of them became one of the causes of failure of Constitution of 1962.
FAQs
What is the name of Pakistan in the Constitution of 1962?
Pakistan was named the ‘Islamic Republic of Pakistan’ under the 1962 constitution.
Who is the father of 1962 constitution of Pakistan?
Here father means in whose favor it was, that was General Muhammad Ayub Khan.
What was the main feature of 1962 Constitution?
Presidential form of government with indirect elections.
1962 constitution of Pakistan abrogated by whom?
It was abrogated by President Yahya Khan by martial law on 25th March 1969.
What is the difference between 1956 and 1962 Constitutions?
In the 1956 constitution, there was a parliamentary form of govt. with direct elections and in the 1962 constitution there was a presidential form of govt. with indirect elections.