Constitutional Struggle in Pakistan.

First Assembly session 10 August 1947.

Role of Assembly
Assembly s responsibility. => Dual purpose. => Action as a federal legislature and parliament.

Problems faced by the Assembly

Conflicts of Ideology. Clash of Interest. Linguistic and ethnic questions Role of minorities. Role of extremist elements.

Clashes over constitution

Character of proposed constitution that Islam should occupy in the constitution. Geographical division of the country and the question of representation in federal legislature. Distribution of power between federal and provincial governments. The language controversy. Relationship between Executive and the legislature. Tussle between provincial and parochial tussle.

First Breakthrough
Constituent Assembly have constituted on 11 August 1947 Passed a resolution in March 1949 (Objective Resolution) => Principles of Democracy. => Freedom. => Equality. => Social Justice as enumerated by Islam. => Sovereignty of God.

Objection over the Objective Resolution

Resolution was discussed in five successive meetings. Pakistan National Congress-opposition party objected Congressthat religion is mixed with politics. Reduce the minority communities to the status of serfs. Main Iftakharuddin has the objection due to economic reason. S.C Chattopadhaya comments that is Drawers of water and hewers of wood . Orthodox ulama were also dissatisfied due to great emphasis on the rights of non-muslims. non-

Basic Principal Committee.

It was made on 12 March 1949. BPC setup three sub-committees to examine subseparately certain important issues. SubSub-Committees set-up to frame the setconstitution. Basic Principal Committee gave the report in the constitution Assembly on 28 sep 1950.

Interim Report of Basic Principal Committee.

Report Recommended bicameral federal legislature with equal powers vested in both the houses. Upper house is known as House of Units. Consist of equal no. of representatives from all provinces. Lower house was expected to give representation on population base. Head of state was elected by both houses. Removed the Head of state by the two third majority.

Head of the state was consisted by a cabinet headed by the prime minister with his cabinet. Head of the state will be responsible of both the houses. Same patron was apply in provinces. Provinces should have single house. Federal law should be superior.

Objection over Interim Report

It was rejected due to lack of islamic character. East Pakistan leader s objection. Report declared that urdu to be the only national language. Liaquet Ali khan postpone the constitutional process. Liaquet Ali Khan s murder on 22 Dec. 1952.

Role of Khawja Nazimuddin

He presented the consolidated report on 22Dec 1952. Head of the state shall be a Muslim. Elected by the Joint session on both the Houses of the central legislature. Tern is for five years. During his term no action will be taken. Central legislature shall consist of 120 members and the latter 400 members.