The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the supreme law of Pakistan.

Known as the Constitution of 1973, it was drafted by the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and was approved by the legislative assembly on April 10, 1973. It was Pakistan's first ever constitution by consensus unlike two earlier constitutions, the Constitution of 1956 and the Constitution of 1962. Pakistan became independent from British India in 1947, following its partition. The first document that served as a constitution for Pakistan was the Government of India Act, 1935. The first Pakistani Constituent Assembly was elected in 1947 and after nine years adopted the first indigenous constitution, the short-lived Constitution of 1956. In October 1958, President Iskander Mirza staged a coup d'tat and abrogated the constitution. Shortly afterwards General Ayub Khan deposed Iskandar and declared himself president. In 1960 Ayub Khan appointed a commission to draft a new constitution. The new Constitution of 1962 was declared by President Ayub in March of that year. On 25 March 1969 the Second Martial Law was imposed; President Ayub Khan abrogated the 1962 constitution and handed over power to the Army Commander-in-Chief, General Agha Mohammad Yahya Khan. After gaining power Z.a Bhutto invited the leaders of parliamentary parties to meet him on 17 Oct 1972 which resulted in an agreement known as the constitutional accord. After consultations the National assembly of Pakistan appointed a committee of 25 members on 17 april 172 to prepare a draft of the permanent constitution of Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Kasuri was elected chairman of the committee . on 20 october 1972 the draft bill for the constitution of Pakistan was signed by leaders of all parliamentary groups in the national assembly. A bill to provide a constitution for the Islamic republic of Pakistan was introduced in the assembly on 2 February 1973. The assembly passed the bill unanimously on 10 april 1973 and endorsed by the late president za Bhutto on 12 april 1973, the constitution came into affect on 14 august 1973. Mr za Bhutto took over as the prime minister and choudry fazal-e-elahi became the president and constitutional head of the state.

Following are the Sailent features of the constitution of 1973 .

1 written constitution 2 rigid constitution 3 islamic provisions 4 federal system Bi-cameral system

As of 2012, there have been 19 amendments to the constitution. A number, such as the Eighth of 1985, which changed the government from a parliamentary system to a semi-presidential system, served to expand the powers of the executive at the expense of parliament and the courts. The Eighteenth passed in 2010, was the first to reduce presidential powers, returning the government to a parliamentary republic and also defining any attempt to subvert, abrogate, or suspend the constitution as an act of high treason.

1st

Redefined the boundaries of Pakistan and removed references to East Pakistan.

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2nd Declared the status of Ahmadis as minority and as 'non-Muslim'. 3rd Extended the period of preventive detention. Decreed additional seats for minorities, it also deprived courts of the 4th power to grant bail to any person detained under any preventive detention. 5th Widened the scope of restriction on the High Courts. Provided that Chief Justice of Supreme Court will be retired at the age of 65 and High Court judges at age 62. Enables the Prime Minister to obtain a vote of confidence of the people 7th of Pakistan. Changed Pakistan's government from a Parliamentary system to a 8th Semi-presidential system by giving the President a number of additional powers. Bill to impose Shariah law as the supreme law of land. The bill was 9th passed by Senate but could never be passed by National Assembly owing to the latter's dissolution. Fixed the interval period between sessions of the National Assembly to 10th not exceed 130 days. Revision of the reserved seats for women in the National and the 11th provincial assemblies. The bill was withdrawn in 1992. 6th 12th Created Speedy Trial Court for 3 years. Stripped the President of Pakistan of his reserve power to dissolve the 13th National Assembly of Pakistan, and thereby triggering new elections and dismissing the Prime Minister. 14th Allowed members of parliament to be dismissed if they defect. 15th Bill to impose Shariah law as supreme law of land. Was never passed. 16th Increased the term appointed for quota system as per 1973 Constitution

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from 20 to 40 years. Made changes dealing with the office of the President and the reversal 17th of the effects of the Thirteenth Amendment. Removed the power of President of Pakistan to dissolve the Parliament April 8, 2010 18th unilaterally. Powers to appointed the Chief Electoral Officers at Election December 19th Commission of Pakistan, and Judges appointment at the Supreme Court 22, 2010 of Pakistan.

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http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/amendments/18amendment.html

http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/amendments/19amendment.html