Created by Adarshatva
Last edited June 7, 2026

Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Overview
Jurisdiction Pakistan
Created20 October 1972; 53 years ago (1972-10-20)
PresentedOctober 20, 1972
Ratified10 April 1973; 53 years ago (1973-04-10)[1]
Date effective14 August 1973; 53 years ago (1973-08-14)
SystemFederal parliamentary constitutional republic
Government structure
BranchesThree (Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary)
Head of statePresident of Pakistan
ChambersTwo (Senate and National Assembly and Punjab Assembly and Sindh Assembly and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly)
ExecutivePrime minister–led cabinet responsible to the lower house of the parliament
JudiciarySupreme court, constitutional court, high courts, and district courts
FederalismYes (four provinces and a federal territory)[lower-alpha 1]
Electoral collegeYes, for presidential elections
History
Amendments27
Last amended13 November 2025
LocationParliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Commissioned byParliament of Pakistan
AuthorParliament of Pakistan
Signatories145 (out of 150) members of the fifth Parliament
Media typePaperback
SupersedesConstitution of Pakistan, 1962
Legal Framework Order, 1970

The Constitution of Pakistan (Urdu: آئینِ پاکستان, romanised: Ā'īn-e-Pākistān; also called the 1973 Constitution) stands as the supreme legal authority in the country. It governs Pakistan’s legal framework, political ethos, and institutional structure, defining the state’s framework, citizens’ fundamental rights, legal and administrative order, as well as the organisation and functions of state institutions and the armed forces.[2]

Formulated under the leadership of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government, with contributions from opposition parties, it was adopted unanimously by the 5th Parliament on 10 April and formally enacted on 14 August 1973. The initial three chapters delineate the roles, authority, and separation of powers among the three branches of government: a bicameral legislature, an executive branch led by the prime minister as chief executive, and a federal judiciary with the Supreme Court at its apex.[3][4]

The Constitution designates the President of Pakistan as a ceremonial Head of State, tasked with symbolising national unity.[5] The first six articles establish the political system as a federal parliamentary republic and declare Islam the state religion.[6] Additionally, the Constitution incorporates provisions requiring the legal system to align with Islamic principles as enshrined in the Quran and Sunnah.[7]

References

  1. "Golden Jubilee celebrations of 1973 Constitution start today". 10 April 2023.
  2. Abiad, Nisrine (2008). Sharia, Muslim states and international human rights treaty obligations : a comparative study. London: British Institute of International and Comparative Law. pp. 96–200. ISBN 978-1-905221-41-7.
  3. Enterprise Team (1 June 2003). "The Constitution of 1973'". The Story of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  4. "The Constitution of Pakistan". pakistani.org. Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  5. "Part III. The Federation of Pakistan: Chapter 1; The President". Const. of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 7 April 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2013 – via pakistani.org.
  6. "First Six Articles". Archived from the original on 21 May 2013.
  7. Iqbal, Khurshid (2009). The Right to Development in International Law: The Case of Pakistan. Routledge. p. 189. ISBN 978-1-134-01999-1. The constitution proclaims ... that all existing laws shall be brought in accordance with the injunctions of Islam as laid down in the Quran and Sunnah, and no law shall be enacted which is repugnant to such injunctions.


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