1. Who was the head of the Constitution Drafting Committee in 1973?
Abdul Hafeez Pirzada is known as the father of the 1973 Constitution. He chaired the parliamentary committee that drafted the document which was eventually passed unanimously.
2. How many articles are there in the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan?
The 1973 Constitution consists of 280 articles and 7 schedules. It is the longest and most comprehensive constitution in Pakistan's history.
3. Which article of the 1973 Constitution defines the "State"?
Article 7 defines the State as the Federal Government, Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), a Provincial Government, a Provincial Assembly, and such local or other authorities in Pakistan as are by law empowered to impose any tax or cess.
4. The Objective Resolution was passed on which date?
The Objective Resolution was moved by Liaquat Ali Khan and is considered the "Magna Carta" of Pakistan's constitutional history. It is now a substantive part of the Constitution via Article 2A.
5. Which article deals with "High Treason" in the Constitution?
Article 6 states that any person who abrogates or subverts or suspends or holds in abeyance the Constitution by use of force or show of force shall be guilty of high treason.
6. What is the minimum age for a candidate to become the President of Pakistan?
Under Article 41(2), a person shall not be qualified for election as President unless he is a Muslim of not less than 45 years of age and is qualified to be elected as a member of the National Assembly.
7. Which amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan declared Ahmadis as non-Muslims?
The Second Amendment was passed on September 7, 1974, under the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, defining the term 'Muslim' and declaring Ahmadis as non-Muslims.
8. According to the 1973 Constitution, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces?
Under Article 243, the Supreme Command of the Armed Forces vests in the President, though he acts on the advice of the Prime Minister.
9. Which article guarantees the "Right to Education" for children aged 5 to 16?
Article 25-A was inserted via the 18th Amendment in 2010, making it the state's responsibility to provide free and compulsory education to all children aged 5-16.
10. The Senate of Pakistan was introduced for the first time under which Constitution?
The 1973 Constitution introduced a bicameral legislature (two houses) for the first time in Pakistan. Previous constitutions (1956 and 1962) provided for a unicameral legislature.
11. What is the total number of seats in the Senate of Pakistan after the 25th Amendment?
Following the merger of FATA with KP (25th Amendment), the 8 FATA seats were abolished. The Senate strength is gradually reducing from 104 to 96 as FATA members complete their terms.
12. Which article deals with the appointment of the Chief Justice of Pakistan?
Article 175-A (inserted via 18th/19th amendments) details the process of appointment of judges to the Supreme Court, High Courts, and the Federal Shariat Court through a Judicial Commission.
13. The "Council of Common Interests" (CCI) is constituted under which article?
Article 153 mandates the CCI to resolve disputes between the Federation and the Provinces. It consists of the PM, Chief Ministers, and three Federal Ministers.
14. What is the retirement age of a Supreme Court Judge in Pakistan?
Under Article 179, a Judge of the Supreme Court shall hold office until he attains the age of 65 years, unless he sooner resigns or is removed from office.
15. Which article of the Constitution relates to the "National Finance Commission" (NFC)?
Article 160 provides for the setting up of the NFC every five years to decide the distribution of revenues between the federal and provincial governments.
16. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan was passed in which year?
The 18th Amendment was passed in April 2010. It removed the President's power to dissolve the Parliament and significantly increased provincial autonomy.
17. How many seats are reserved for Women in the National Assembly of Pakistan?
Out of the total seats in the National Assembly, 60 seats are reserved for women and 10 for non-Muslims. These are filled through a proportional representation system.
18. Under Article 248, who enjoys immunity from criminal proceedings during their term?
Article 248 provides protection to the President and Governors, stating that no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against them in any court during their term of office.
19. Which article of the Constitution guarantees "Freedom of Press"?
Article 19 guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to reasonable restrictions.
20. The "Federal Shariat Court" was established during which era?
The Federal Shariat Court (FSC) was established in 1980 through a Presidential Order during General Zia-ul-Haq's regime to examine laws for conformity with Islamic injunctions.
21. Article 58-2(b) was finally repealed by which amendment?
While the 13th Amendment first removed it, the 17th brought it back. It was finally and decisively repealed by the 18th Amendment in 2010, taking away the President's power to dissolve the National Assembly unilaterally.
22. What is the term of the National Assembly of Pakistan?
According to Article 52, the National Assembly shall, unless sooner dissolved, continue for a term of five years from the day of its first meeting.
23. Who appoints the Attorney General of Pakistan?
Article 100 states that the President shall appoint a person, being a person qualified to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court, to be the Attorney-General for Pakistan.
24. Which article deals with the "Right to Information"?
Article 19-A was added by the 18th Amendment, granting every citizen the right to have access to information in all matters of public importance.
25. The 1962 Constitution of Pakistan was based on which system?
The 1962 Constitution, introduced by Ayub Khan, established a Presidential form of government with a unicameral legislature.
26. What is the quorum for a session of the National Assembly?
Under Article 55(2), if at any time during a meeting of the National Assembly the attention of the person presiding is drawn to the fact that less than one-fourth of the total membership is present, he shall either adjourn or suspend the meeting.
27. Which article of the Constitution provides for the "Election Commission of Pakistan"?
Article 218 mandates the constitution of a permanent Election Commission for the purpose of holding elections to both Houses of Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies.
28. Who is the administrative head of the Province according to the Constitution?
Article 129 states that the executive authority of the Province shall be exercised in the name of the Governor by the Provincial Government, consisting of the Chief Minister and Provincial Ministers.
29. Which article describes the "National Language" of Pakistan?
Article 251 declares Urdu as the National Language of Pakistan and mandates arrangements for its use for official and other purposes.
30. The "Islamic Research Institute" is mentioned in which article?
Article 231 deals with the establishment of the Islamic Research Institute to assist in the Islamization of laws.
31. Which schedule of the Constitution contains the "Oaths of Office"?
The Third Schedule contains the text of the oaths for the President, Prime Minister, Ministers, Speakers, Judges, and other high-ranking officials.
32. How many members are in the "Council of Islamic Ideology" (CII)?
Article 228 states that the Council shall consist of such number of members, being not less than eight and not more than twenty, as the President may appoint.
33. What is the retirement age of a High Court Judge?
According to Article 195, a Judge of a High Court shall hold office until he attains the age of 62 years.
34. Which article deals with the "Protection of Minorities"?
Article 36 (Principles of Policy) states that the State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of minorities, including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial services.
35. The 25th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan is related to?
The 25th Amendment (2018) integrated the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) into the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).
36. Under which article can the President of Pakistan issue an Ordinance?
Article 89 empowers the President to promulgate an Ordinance when the National Assembly is not in session. Such an ordinance has the same force as an Act of Parliament but expires after 120 days if not passed by the assembly.
37. The "Principles of Policy" are contained in which part of the Constitution?
Part II is divided into two chapters: Chapter 1 deals with Fundamental Rights (Articles 8-28) and Chapter 2 deals with Principles of Policy (Articles 29-40).
38. Who acts as the President in the absence of both the President and the Senate Chairman?
Under Article 49, if the office of President becomes vacant or the President is unable to perform his functions, the Chairman of the Senate acts as President. If he is also unable, the Speaker of the National Assembly takes over.
39. Which article deals with the "Impeachment of the President"?
Article 47 provides the procedure for the removal or impeachment of the President on grounds of physical or mental incapacity or misconduct.
40. What is the duration of "Emergency" that can be declared under Article 232?
A Proclamation of Emergency shall be laid before a joint sitting of Parliament and shall cease to be in force after two months unless approved by a resolution. Once approved, it can continue for up to 6 months at a time.
41. Which article defines the "Majlis-e-Shoora" (Parliament)?
Article 50 states that there shall be a Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) of Pakistan consisting of the President and two Houses to be known respectively as the National Assembly and the Senate.
42. The "Right to fair trial" was added as a fundamental right via which amendment?
Article 10-A (Right to fair trial) was added by the 18th Amendment in 2010 to ensure due process of law for every citizen.
43. How many days must the National Assembly meet in a year?
Under Article 54(2), the National Assembly must meet for at least 130 working days in a year.
44. Which article relates to the "Pardon" power of the President?
Article 45 empowers the President to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.
45. Who was the first President of Pakistan?
Major General Iskander Mirza became the first President of Pakistan upon the promulgation of the first Constitution on March 23, 1956. Before that, the head of state was the Governor-General.
46. The first Constitution of Pakistan was enforced on?
Pakistan's first constitution was adopted on March 23, 1956, turning the country from a Dominion into an Islamic Republic.
47. Which article of the Constitution deals with the "Vote of No-Confidence" against the PM?
Article 95 outlines the procedure for a resolution for a vote of no-confidence against the Prime Minister. If passed by a majority of the total membership of the National Assembly, the PM ceases to hold office.
48. What is the minimum age to be eligible to vote in Pakistan?
The voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 years by the 18th Amendment (and previously by the Legal Framework Order 2002).
49. Who appoints the Governors of the Provinces?
Article 101 states that the Governor shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
50. Which article deals with the "Original Jurisdiction" of the Supreme Court?
Article 184(3) gives the Supreme Court the power to take Suo Motu notice of matters involving public importance with reference to the enforcement of Fundamental Rights.
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