Unit 5: Constitutions in Pakistan

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, dates, and provisions related to the 1956 and 1962 Constitutions of Pakistan based on Unit 5 notes.

Government of India Act, 1935

The legal framework adopted as Pakistan's constitution at the time of independence to run the affairs of the nation until its own constitution could be made.

1956 Constitution

The country's first constitution, consisting of 234 articles divided into 13 parts, which declared Pakistan an Islamic State with a federal system and a parliamentary form of government.

Official Languages (1956 Constitution)

Urdu and Bengali, both of which were made official languages of Pakistan, while English was accepted as an official language for a period of 25 years.

First Martial Law

The military rule imposed in 1958 by General Muhammad Ayub Khan after dissolving the assembly, which ended the 1956 constitution after only two years.

1962 Constitution

The constitution enacted on 8th June 1962, consisting of 250 articles, which introduced a presidential form of government and a federal system comprising East and West Pakistan.

Basic Democracy members

An electoral body of 80,000 members who were responsible for indirectly electing the President under the 1962 Constitution.

Teachings of Quran and Sunnah

The religious standard established in the 1962 Constitution dictating that no law could be passed against these teachings.