The Constitution of Pakistan

Constitution:
“The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and
limits of a government or another institution.”

Why Constitution is required:

Constitution is the fundamental law of state. The constitution sets rules about organs of
government; these organs are the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.
Constitution defines the composition of the organs of the government, and also the
pattern of their interaction, i.e. it lays down rules about their mutual relationship and in
the second place a constitution sets rules about the relationship between the people and
the government. No state can run without a constitution for single day.

Constitution Making in Pakistan

The new state of Pakistan after being established on the 14th of August 1947 required a
constitution under which the government could be run and rights and duties of the citizen
could be determined. A constitution could not be made in single day; therefore, the
Government of India Act of 1935 became, with certain adaptations, the working
constitution of Pakistan. However, the Quaid's aim was the establishment of a truly
Islamic society. As a result, a Constituent Assembly was set up under the Independence
Act. The Constituent Assembly had a dual purpose; to draft the constitution of Pakistan
and to act as a legislative body till the new constitution was passed and enforced.
The main features of the Act of 1935 were:

1. The Governor General remained the head of the central administration and
enjoyed wide powers concerning administration, legislation and finance. No
finance bill could be placed in the Central Legislature without the consent of the
Governor General.
2. The Federal Legislature was to consist of two houses, the Council of State (Upper
House) and the Federal Assembly (Lower House).
3. The Central Legislature had the right to pass any bill, but the bill required the
approval of the Governor General before it became Law. On the other hand
Governor General had the power to frame ordinances.
4. The provinces were given autonomy with respect to subjects delegated to them.
5. Separate electorates were continued as before.
6. The Federal Court was established in the Center.

The Objectives Resolution

On March 12, 1949, the Constituent Assembly adopted a resolution moved by Liaquat Ali
Khan, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. It was called the Objectives Resolution. It
proclaimed that the future constitution of Pakistan would not be modeled on European
pattern, but on the ideology and democratic faith of Islam.

The Objectives Resolution envisaged the following important principles:

1. Sovereignty belongs to Allah alone but He has delegated it to the State of Pakistan
through its people for being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him as a sacred trust.

2. The State shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives of the
people.

3. The principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice, as

enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed.

4. Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective spheres in
accordance with the teachings of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

5. Adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practice their
religions and develop their cultures.
6. Pakistan shall be a federation.

7. Fundamental rights shall be guaranteed.

8. Judiciary shall be independent.

Significance Of the Objectives Resolution:

The Objectives Resolution is one of the most important and illuminating documents in the
constitutional history of Pakistan. At the time it was passed, Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan called it
"the most important occasion in the life of this country, next in importance only to the
achievement of independence".

The importance of this document lies in the fact that it combines the good features of
Western and Islamic democracy. It is a happy blend of modernism and Islam. The
Objectives Resolution became a part of the constitution of Pakistan in 1985 under the
Eighth Amendment.

Constitutional Development
After the adoption of the Objectives Resolution the Constitutional Assembly formed a
committee and it was entrusted with the responsibility of framing a detailed document
about the basic principles of the future constitution. These principles were to be framed,
obviously, in the light of the principles enshrined in the Objectives Resolution. This
committee, which was called the Basic Principle Committee, submitted its First Report
after year. The report was so bitterly criticized and condemned throughout the country.
After thirty months a Second Report was presented. The final Report was based on a
Mediatory Formula also known as Mohammad Ali Formula brought forward by
Mohammad Ali Bogra. Its consideration was twice postponed and it was as late as
September 1954 that the Basic Principles Committee Report was adopted by the
Constituent Assembly and the Committee was converted into a Drafting Committee. The
report envisaged the following:

• A bi-cameral legislature.
• The upper house was to have a total of 50 members.
• The lower house was to consist of 300 members.
The assembly, however, failed to proceed with the constitution making task. Differences
between the Governor General and the assembly developed. In October 1954, the
assembly was dissolved by the Governor General on the alleged grounds of inactivity,
incompetence, corruption and misdeeds. The decree of the dissolution of the First
Constituent Assembly by Governor General was challenged by its Speaker in the Chief
Court and later in the Federal Court. The Federal Court, however, advised the Governor
General to form a new constituent assembly immediately. The elections for the second
assembly were held in June 1955. The assembly met in July. By passing the One Unit Act
it removed the greatest hurdle in the way of constitution making. The task of constitution
making was taken up at a high speed and the constitution was finally passed in February
1956.

Constitution of the Islamic Republic Pakistan 1956

After nine years of efforts, Pakistan was successful in framing a constitution in 1956.
Assembly adopted it on 29 February, 1956, and it was enforced on 23 March, 1956,
proclaiming Pakistan to be an Islamic Republic. The Constitution was lengthy and
detailed; it contained 234 articles divided into thirteen parts and six schedules. The
Constitution of 1956 provided for federal system with the principle of parity between
East Pakistan and West Pakistan. The Federal Legislature was to perform like the British
Parliament. The Centre was invested with such powers as to take unilateral action in
emergency and it could influence the provincial autonomy.

The Constitution of 1956 provided for the parliamentary form of government, where real
executive authority was vested in a cabinet, collectively responsible to the legislature.
The cabinet was presided over by the Prime Minister. The Constitution declared that
there would be only one house of parliament known as the National Assembly and
equality between the two Wings (i.e. East Pakistan and West Pakistan) was maintained in
it. The Governor General was replaced by a President, who was to be elected by an
Electoral College comprising of members of the National Assembly and Provincial
Assembly.

Familiar democratic rights and freedoms such as freedom of speech and expression, of
assembly and association, of movement and of profession were all provided in the
Constitution, with the usual qualifications. With regards to civil rights, familiar rights
such as rights of life, liberty and property were granted, again with the usual
qualifications and safeguards. The judiciary was given power to enforce the fundamental
rights and the courts were to decide if a law was repugnant to any provisions of the
fundamental rights.
The important features of 1956 constitution are:

1. Parliamentary System:
Executive authority vested in the President who vested it on the advice of the Prime
Minister except in the matters he had discretion. President had ceremonial functions and
exercised limited powers. President was to be elected by National assemblies and
Provincial assemblies. The president would be 45 years of age, Muslim and qualified
member of National assembly.

• Prime Minister:

Prime Minister would be appointed by President. President could not remove him unless
he was sure that PM did not enjoy the support of National assembly. Prime Minister was
the head of government assisted by cabinet.

• One House Parliament:

National Assembly was the only house of the parliament having the membership of 300
plus 10 women seats. All legislative powers rested in National assembly. President could
return, reject or sign the bills.

2. Federal System:
The constitution provided three lists: Federal, Provincial and Concurrent. There were
two provinces in the federation of Pakistan.

Islamic Provisions in the Constitution of 1956

• The name Islamic Republic of Pakistan was selected for the state of Pakistan.
• All citizens of Pakistan were granted freedom to profess, practice and propagate
any religion and the right to establish, maintain and manage religious institutions.
• According to the directive principles, steps were to be taken to enable the
Muslims of Pakistan individually and collectively to order their lives in
accordance with principles in Holy Quran and Sunnah.
• No law shall be enacted which is repugnant to the injunctions of Islam as laid
down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah and that existing laws shall be brought into
 confirmity with such injunctions. Whether a law was repugnant to Islam or not,
would be decided by the National Assembly.
• Only a Muslim could be qualified for election as President.
• The President should set up an organization for Islamic research and instruction in
advanced studies to assist in the reconstruction of Muslims society on a truly
Islamic basis.
• Teaching of the Holy Quran was to be made compulsory for Muslims.
• The purchase and sale of alcohol was banned.
• No person should be compelled to pay any special tax, the proceeds of which
were to be spent on the propagation of any religion other than his own.
• The state should endeavor to strengthen the bonds of unity among Muslim
countries.

3. Uni- Cameral Legislature:

A bi-cameral legislature is considered to be an essential requirement of a federal
system but the 1956 constitution was unique in this respect that it did not provide
for second chamber, a uni- cameral legislature was established.

4. Provincial Structure:
At the provincial level there were elected assembly. The Parliamentary System
under nominal headship of Governor. The real powers were given to Chief
Minister and his cabinet.

5. Independent Judiciary:
At the centre level the highest court was the Supreme Court, and then higher
courts in the provinces and subordinate courts were established.

6. Fundamental Rights:
Civil and political rights were given to the people of Pakistan but they could
be suspended in case of emergency.
 7. Directive Principles of State Policy:
These principles provided guidelines for policy making but these principles
did not have the force of law.

8. Universal Adult Law:

All citizens of Pakistan having attained the age of 21 were given the right to vote.

Working of the Constitution

This constitution worked till October 8, 1958, when it was abrogated and martial law was
proclaimed.

Constitution of the Islamic Republic Of Pakistan 1962

On October 8, 1958 Army Chief General Mohammad Ayub Khan toke over the
government and proclaimed martial law. Constitution was abrogated, legislative
assemblies dissolved; political parties and activities were banned. In the beginning it was
claimed that the martial law is being promulgated only in order to assist the civil
authority. The President, was, however, not removed. General Mohammad Ayub Khan
decided to act as the Chief Martial Law Administrator. Twenty days later Ayub Khan
decided to assume the office of the President himself, the Chief Martial Law
Administrator took over the charge of the civil administrator.

Ayub Khan introduced a new system of local government; he named this the system of
Basic Democracies. Eighty thousand persons were known as the Basic Democracies
members were elected from both provinces. On February 1, 1960, General Mohammad
Ayub Khan secured a mandate from BD members authorizing him to enact a new
constitution in the country. The new constitution was drafted not by a representative body
but by a body of experts appointed by the Field Martial himself. This body, known as the
Constitution Commission, was supposed to work under the guidance of the President.
The constitution was proclaimed on March 1, 1962 but it came into force on June8, 1962.

Following are some the salient features if 1962 constitution:

1. Presidential System:
The parliamentary system introduced under 1956 constitution was replaced with
Presidential system under the 1962 constitution. All the executive authority was
vested in the President . Office of the Prime Minister was abolished.

2. Powers Of President:
The president was to be the chief executive officer and head of the state. He was free
to nominate members of his cabinet and the two provincial governors. The cabinet
members and the governors were made answerable only to President. They could
retain their offices during his pleasure and could be dismissed by him at any time
without assigning a reason.

3. Election of President by Basic Democracies Members:

The President was to be elected by popularly elected ‘Basic Democracies’ members.
These members were eighty thousand in the beginning, later this number to one
hundred twenty thousand.

4. Uni-Cameral Legislature:
A uni-cameral legislature was provided at the centre. It was to be called the National
Assembly of Pakistan.

5. Legislative Authority of National & Provincial

Assemblies:
Legislative authority of the National Assembly and the Provincial assemblies was
upheld and no court was authorized to declare a piece of legislation, passed by any
assembly, illegal or unconstitutional.

6. Powers of Basic Democracies Members:

It was provided that in case of a conflict or disagreement between the President and
the National assembly the President could refer the matter, for final decision, to the
members of the Electoral College. The matter was to be decided by way of
referendum by the BD members.

7. Supreme Judicial Council:

 Supreme Judicial Council consisting two senior judges of the Supreme Court, Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court and the two judges of High Court was to be established.

8. Fundamental Rights:
The original document of the constitution did not contain a chapter on or list of
fundamental human rights. In November 1963, however, as a result of strong public
protest, a list of fundamental rights was included in constitution. It was a very
comprehensive list guaranteeing almost all fundamental human rights to the citizens.

9. Islamic Provisions in the Constitution of 1962:

• The Constitution lay down simply that the state of Pakistan shall be a republic
under the name of Republic of Pakistan. The word 'Islamic' was dropped in this
Constitution. But when the National Assembly met in June 1962, there was a demand
that the word 'Islamic' should be re-introduced. There was some justification for this
demand. If Islamic provisions were to be maintained there was no reason why the
republic should not be designated an Islamic Republic. The first amendment
(December 1962) therefore rectified this article.
• According to the principles of policy, steps were to be taken to enable the
Muslims of Pakistan individually and collectively, to order their lives in
accordance with the fundamental principles and basic concepts of Islam, and
should be provided with facilities whereby they may be enabled to understand the
meaning of life according to those principles and concepts.
• No law shall be enacted which is repugnant to the teachings and requirements of
Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah and all existing laws shall be
brought in conformity with the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
• Only a Muslim could be qualified for the election as President.
• Teaching of the Quran and Islamiyat to the Muslims of Pakistan was made
compulsory.
• Proper organisation of Zakat, Auqaf, and Mosques was ensured.
• Practical steps were to be taken to eradicate what were seen as social evils by
Islam, such as the use of alcohol, gambling, etc.
• A novel Islamic provision in the 1962 Constitution had introduced an 'Advisory
Council of Islamic Ideology' to be appointed by the President. The functions of
the Council was to make recommendations to the Government as to means which
would enable and encourage the Muslims of Pakistan to order their lives in
accordance with the principles and concepts of Islam and to examine all laws in
force with a view to bring them into conformity with the teachings and
requirements of Islam as set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
• There shall be an organisation to be known as Islamic Research Institute, which
shall be established by the President. The function of the Institute was to
undertake Islamic Research and Instruction in Islam for the purpose of assisting in
the reconstruction of Muslim society on a truly Islamic basis.
 • The state should endeavour to strengthen the bonds of unity among Muslim
countries.

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973

After the fall of East Pakistan on December 16, 1971, General Mohammad Yahya Khan
transferred power to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who
became the President and the Chief Martial Law Administrator simultaneously. On April
7, 1972, the National Assembly formed a committee to draft a permanent constitution for
the country. The Assembly met on April 14 to pass an interim Constitution Bill and
adjourned, thereafter Martial Law was lifted on April 21, 1972.

The Constitution Bill was first moved in the Assembly on the February 2, 1973. The
opposition parties had a lot of reservations on the draft constitution, they decided to
boycott the Assembly session. The government was inclined to accommodate the
opposition. After long deliberations an agreement was arrived at and the bill was adopted
almost unanimously, 135 voted in favour and only three abstained. On April12, 1973, the
President ratified the bill. Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who had ratified the bill as the
President, was elected Prime Minister by the National Assembly on August 12, 1973. The
Constitution was promulgated on August 14, 1973.

Some of important salient features of the 1973 constitution:

1. Parliamentary System:
It was a parliamentary system with a very powerful Prime Minister as a head of
government. President must act on the advice of Prime Minister. Prime Minister was
to be elected by National assembly.

2. Bi-Chambered Legislature:
The federal Parliament will have two chambers, i.e. the National assembly or the
Lower House and the Senate, the Upper House. The National Assembly will be
elected on the basis of universal adult franchise. All the provinces shall have equal
presentation in the Senate. Members of the Senate shall be elected indirectly.
 3. System of Election:
Contrary to the 1962 constitution, 1973 constitution stipulates a direct system of
election. These elections of the National and Provincial Assemblies shall be directly
held on the basis of universal adult franchise. All citizens of Pakistan who have
attained the age of 21 shall have the right to vote.

4. Constitution Amendment Bill:

Constitution amendment bill will be passed by a two thirds majority in the National
Assembly and the absolute majority of Senate.

5. Abrogation of Constitution:
The act or attempt of abrogating this constitution shall be considered an act of high
treason. Parliament shall determine penalty for the culprit.

6. Supreme Court and High Court:

Supreme Court and High court will have the authority to enforce fundamental right,
and declare any law passed by a legislative assembly as unconstitutional if it is found
that the law is repugnant to the spirit of Supreme Court.

7. Fundamental Rights:
All fundamental rights of the citizens shall be guaranteed provided ‘reasonable
restrictions imposed by law’ are observed in their exercise.

8. Official Language:
Urdu will be the official language of country.

9. Islamic Provisions in the Constitution of 1973:

• The name 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan' is selected for the state of Pakistan.
• Islam is declared as the state religion of Pakistan.
• Steps shall be taken to enable the Muslims of Pakistan, individually or collectively, to
order their lives in accordance with the fundamental principles and basic concepts of
Islam.
• Steps shall be taken to make the teaching of the Holy Quran and Islamiyat
compulsory, to encourage and facilitate the learning of Arabic language and to secure
correct and exact printing and publishing of the Holy Quran.
• Proper organisation of Zakat, Auqaf and Mosques is ensured.
• The state shall prevent prostitution, gambling and consumption of alcohol, printing,
publication, circulation and display of obscene literature and advertisements.
• Only a Muslim could be qualified for election as President (male only) and Prime
Minister (male or female). No restriction as to religion or gender on any other post,
up to and including provincial governor and Chief Minister.
• All existing laws shall be brought in conformity with the injunctions of Islam as laid
down in the Holy Quran and Sunnah and no law shall be enacted which is repugnant
to such injunctions.
• A Council of Islamic Ideology shall be constituted referred to as the Islamic Council.
The functions of the Islamic Council shall be to make recommendations to Parliament
and the Provincial Assemblies about the ways and means of enabling and
encouraging the Muslims of the Pakistan to order their lives in accordance with the
principles of Islam.
• The President or the Governor of a province may, or if two-fifths of its total
membership so requires, a House or a Provincial Assembly shall, refer to the Islamic
Council for advice on any question as to whether a proposed law is or is not
repugnant to the injunctions of Islam.

• For the first time, the Constitution of Pakistan gave definition of a Muslim which
states: 'Muslim' means a person who believes in the unity and oneness of
Almighty Allah, in the absolute and finality of the Prophet hood of Mohammad
[PBUH],
• The state shall endeavor to strengthen the bonds of unity among Muslim
countries.

Amendments in the Constitution of Pakistan

First Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The official document of the First Amendment is called the Constitution (First
Amendment) Act, 1974. It came into effect on May 4, 1974.

It amended Articles 1, 8, 17, 61, 101, 193, 199, 200, 209, 212, 250, 260 and 272, and the
First Schedule of the Constitution of Pakistan.

The amendment to Article 1 redefined the boundaries of Pakistan and removed references
to East Pakistan after the recognition of Bangladesh by Pakistan.
 Second Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Second Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan declared the status of Qadianis
and Ahmadis as minority. This amendment was adopted on September 7, 1974.

Third Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Third Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was an amendment to the 1973
Constitution of Pakistan.

Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan decreed additional seats for
minorities; it also deprived courts of the power to grant bail to any person detained under
any preventive detention. It was added on November 21, 1975.

Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

It widen the scope of restriction on the High Courts to take away from them even the
power to enforce the grant of fundamental rights conferred by Chapter (1) Part II of
the Constitution. It was made on September 5, 1976.

Sixth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

It provided that Chief Justice of Supreme Court will be retired at the age of 65 and a
High Court at 62.National Assembly adopted this amendment on December 22,1976.

Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Seventh Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was made in 1977 to hold
referendum by the President of Pakistan.

Eighth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Constitution (Eighth Amendment) Act, 1985 was an amendment to the

Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1985. It changed Pakistan's government from a
 Parliamentary system to a Semi-presidential system by giving the President a number
of additional powers. These powers included the right, expressed in sub-section 2(b)
inserted into Article 58, to dissolve the National Assembly (but not the Senate) if, in
his or her opinion, "a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation
cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an
appeal to the electorate is necessary." (Constitution of Pakistan, Article 58) with the
consequence of dismissing the Prime Minister and his or her Cabinet.
Article 58 2(b)
The Eighth Amendment, besides making a number of other changes to the Constitution,
introduced the following clause into Article 58 of the Constitution:

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in clause (2) of Article 48, the President may
also dissolve the National Assembly in his discretion where, in his opinion,
(a) a vote of no-confidence having been passed against the Prime Minister, no other
member of the National Assembly is likely to command the confidence of the majority of
the member’s of the National Assembly in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution, as ascertained in a session of the National Assembly summoned for the
purpose; or
(b) a situation has arisen in which the Government of the Federation cannot be carried on
in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and an appeal to the electorate is
necessary.

Article 58 2(b), which granted the discretionary power to dissolve the National Assembly
mentioned in the previous section, was invoked three times in the 1990s - by President
Ghulam Ishaq Khan against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on August 6, 1990, by
President Ghulam Ishaq Khan against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in 1993 and by
President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari against Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in
November 1996. In the second instance, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was reinstated as
Prime Minister by the Supreme Court, but the resulting stalemate ended with the
resignations of both Ghulam Ishaq Khan and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The use of
Article 58 2(b) was almost exclusively justified by the President as necessary, for the
removal of corrupt governments that, it was asserted, had lost the confidence of the
people. Elections were held each time that caused the ruling party to lose its majority or
plurality in the National Assembly.

In 1997, the Thirteenth Amendment was passed, stripping the President of the power to
dissolve the National Assembly and call for new elections, effectively reducing the
Presidency to a ceremonial figurehead.

Pakistan's democracy provides no means for the people to directly recall members of
Parliament before the end of their terms. Consequently, the Thirteenth and Fourteenth
Amendments had the effect of removing the institutional Checks and Balances on the
Prime Minister's power, by giving him or her immunity from being legally dismissed.
The power of the President's office was partially restored by the Seventeenth
Amendment. The power to dissolve the National Assembly and dismiss the Prime
Minister is now subject to Supreme Court approval.

Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Constitution (Thirteenth Amendment) Act, 1997 was an amendment to the
Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1997 by the government of Prime Minister Nawaz
Sharif. It stripped the President of Pakistan of his reserve power to dissolve the National
Assembly, and thereby triggering new elections and dismissing the Prime Minister. The
Constitutional Amendment was supported by both the government and the opposition,
and was thus passed unanimously.

Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Constitution (Fourteenth Amendment) Act, 1997 was an amendment to the
Constitution of Pakistan passed in 1997, during the government of Prime Minister
Nawaz Sharif, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League party. It subjected Members of
Parliament to very strict party discipline. Party leaders received unlimited power to
dismiss any of their legislators from Parliament if they spoke or voted against their
party.

Seventeenth Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan

The Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003 was an amendment to the
Constitution of Pakistan passed in December 2003, after over a year of political
wrangling between supporters and opponents of Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf.

This amendment made many changes to Pakistan's constitution. Many of these changes
dealt with the office of the President and the reversal of the effects of the Thirteenth
Amendment. Summarized here are brief descriptions of the major points.

• President Musharraf's Legal Framework Order (LFO) was largely incorporated

into the constitution, with a few changes.
• Article 63(1) (d) of the Constitution to become operative after December 31,
2004. The intent of this was to prohibit a person from holding both a political
office (such as that of the President) and an "office of profit" - an office that is
typically held by a career government servant, civil or military - such as the office
of the Chief of Army Staff. Although this was supposed to separate the two types
of office, a loophole - ". Other than an office declared by law ..." - allowed
Parliament to pass an ordinary law later in 2004 - permitting the President to hold
on to the office of Chief of Army Staff, an option that President Musharraf then
exercised.
• Should the President win a majority in a vote of confidence in the Electoral
College within 30 days of the passage of this amendment, he shall be deemed to
be elected to the office of President. (On January 1, 2004, Musharraf won 658 out
of 1,170 electoral-college votes - a 56% majority - and was thereby deemed to be
elected president.)
• The President regains the authority to dissolve the National Assembly - and thus
effectively to dismiss the Pakistani Prime Minister - but the power to do so is
made subject to an approval or veto by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
• A Governor's power to dissolve a Provincial Assembly is similarly subject to
Supreme Court approval or veto.
• Article 152A, which dealt with the National Security Council, was annulled. (The
legal basis for the NSC is now an ordinary law, the National Security Council Act
of 2004.)
• Ten laws had been added by the LFO to the Sixth Schedule, which is a list of
"laws that are not to be altered, repealed or amended without the previous
sanction of the President." After this amendment, five of those laws will lose their
Sixth Schedule protection after six years. Laws to be unprotected include the four
laws that established the system of democratic local governments. (Those in favor
of this change have argued that it would enable each province to evolve its own
systems. Opponents fear that authoritarian provincial governments could
disempower or even dismantle the system of local democracies.)

References:
www.wikipedia.com

www.google.com

www.scribd.com

www.pak.gov

www.pakistanconstition-law.com

www.paksearch.com