| Period |
Constitution/Legal Framework |
Year Adopted |
Key Features |
| Independence Act |
Indian Independence Act |
1947 |
Provided legal basis for the creation of Pakistan; interim governance structure. |
| Objectives Resolution |
Objectives Resolution |
1949 |
Declared sovereignty of Allah; guided future constitution-making; introduced Islamic principles. |
| First Constitution |
Constitution of Pakistan |
1956 |
Declared Pakistan an Islamic Republic; parliamentary system; unicameral legislature. |
| Military Rule |
Constitution abrogated |
1958 |
General Ayub Khan imposed martial law; abrogated the 1956 Constitution. |
| Second Constitution |
Constitution of Pakistan |
1962 |
Presidential system introduced; reduced Islamic provisions; suspended in 1969. |
| Third Constitution |
Constitution of Pakistan |
1973 |
Parliamentary system restored; declared Islam as state religion; bicameral legislature; fundamental rights protected. |
| Military Rule |
Constitution suspended (Zia-ul-Haq) |
1977 |
Amendments introduced to Islamize laws; created Shariat courts. |
| Constitution Restored |
Constitution restored with amendments |
1985 |
Strengthened Islamic provisions; Article 58(2)(b) added, empowering the president to dissolve the assembly. |
| Civilian Rule |
Various amendments |
1988-1999 |
Amendments for strengthening democracy; increased role of judiciary. |
| Military Rule |
Constitution suspended (Pervez Musharraf) |
1999 |
Legal Framework Order (2002) introduced; amendments for presidential powers. |
| Restoration of Democracy |
18th Amendment |
2010 |
Strengthened parliamentary system; abolished president’s power to dissolve assemblies; devolved power to provinces. |
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