Preamble Of Pakistan’s Constitution

The preamble to the Constitution

The preamble is an introductory statement in a document. It explains the document’s philosophy and objectives.
In a Constitution, it presents the intention of its framers and the principles of the nation. The preamble sets the stage for the Constitution. The preamble is an introduction to the highest law of the land; it is not the law. It does not define government powers or individual rights.

Importance of the preamble

1. It contains ideas that the Constitution seeks to achieve.
2. It gives direction and purpose to the Constitution.
3. It also enshrines the grand objectives and socio-economic goals which are to be achieved through constitutional processes.

The preamble to Pakistan’s Constitution

Objective Resolution is regarded as the preamble of the constitution. It is one of the most important documents in the constitutional history of Pakistan. It was passed by the first Constituent Assembly on 12th March 1949 under the leadership of Liaquat Ali Khan. Objective Resolution was presented in the Constituent Assembly by Liaquat Ali Khan on March 7, 1949, and was debated for five days by the members from both the treasury and opposition benches.

Objective Resolution laid down the objectives on which the future constitution of the country was to be based.

Salient Features of Objective Resolution

The main features of the Objectives Resolution are:

1. The sovereignty of the entire Universe belongs to Allah alone.
2. Authority should be delegated to the State through its people under the rules set by Allah.
3. The Constitution of Pakistan should be framed by the Constituent Assembly.
4. The state should exercise its powers through the chosen representatives
5. Principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice, as ensured by Islam should be followed.
6. Muslims shall live their lives according to the teaching of the Quran and Sunnah.
7. Minorities can freely profess and practice their religion.
8. There should be a federal form of government with the maximum autonomy for the Units.
9. Fundamental rights including equality of status, of opportunity and before law, social, economic, and political justice, and freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, and association, subject to the law and public morality should be given to all the citizens of the state.
10. It would be the duty of the state to safeguard the interests of minorities and backward and depressed classes.
11. The independence of the judiciary should be guaranteed.
12. The integrity of the territory and sovereignty of the country were to be safeguarded.
13. The people of Pakistan may prosper and attain their rightful and honored place amongst the nations of the world and make their full contribution towards international peace and progress and the happiness of humanity.

The preamble to the Constitution of India

The preamble to the US Constitution

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”