Constitutional History of Pakistan
· Pakistan Studies/Affairs
184 MCQs
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1
Under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, which new apex military office was established and occupied in late 2025?
Answer:
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF)
The 27th Constitutional Amendment, enacted in November 2025, restructured Pakistan's military command by creating the post of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). General Asim Munir was designated as the first holder of this office, which centralizes operational command over the Army, Navy, and Air Force, effectively replacing the role of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
2
Which key military position was abolished following the enactment of the 27th Constitutional Amendment in Pakistan?
Answer:
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC)
The 27th Constitutional Amendment abolished the position of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) in November 2025. This role, which previously served as the principal tri-service coordinator, was replaced by the newly created and more powerful office of the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), tasked with unified command of the three armed services.
3
What is the designated tenure for the newly created Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) as per the 2025 notification?
Answer:
5 Years
According to the official notification issued in December 2025 following the 27th Amendment, the tenure for the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) is set at five years. This extended term contrasts with the traditional three-year tenure for service chiefs, aiming to ensure continuity and stability in the highest level of military command.
4
Who became the second military officer in Pakistan's history to be elevated to the rank of Field Marshal in 2025?
Answer:
General Asim Munir
In 2025, General Asim Munir was promoted to the five-star rank of Field Marshal, becoming only the second officer in Pakistan's history to hold this rank after Field Marshal Ayub Khan. This promotion coincided with his appointment as the first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) under the 27th Constitutional Amendment, granting him lifetime privileges and immunity.
5
Which specific territories were redefined as the territories of Pakistan under the Constitution (First Amendment) Act, 1974?
Answer:
The Provinces of Baluchistan, the North-West Frontier, the Punjab, and Sind, plus Islamabad and FATA
The First Amendment substituted Article 1 to define the territories as the four provinces (Baluchistan, North-West Frontier, Punjab, and Sind), the Islamabad Capital Territory, and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [1]. This amendment effectively removed references to East Pakistan following the secession of Bangladesh [1].
6
Under the First Amendment, what is the maximum time allowed for the Federal Government to refer a ban on a political party to the Supreme Court?
Answer:
15 days
The amendment to Article 17 stipulates that if the Federal Government declares a political party is operating against the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, it must refer the matter to the Supreme Court within fifteen days [2]. The Supreme Court's decision on this reference is considered final [2].
7
The First Amendment altered Article 61 to reduce the number of working days for a specific body. Which body and what was the new requirement?
Answer:
The Senate; 90 days
The First Amendment modified Article 61 to change the proviso of Article 54, substituting the requirement of 'one hundred and thirty' working days with 'ninety' for the Senate [3]. This was part of a broader effort to streamline the legislative calendar [3].
8
According to the First Amendment's change to Article 193, what can be included when computing the period of time a person has been an advocate of a High Court?
Answer:
Any period during which the person held judicial office
The amendment added an Explanation to Article 193 stating that when calculating the tenure required to be a High Court judge, any period the person held judicial office after becoming an advocate is included [4]. This clarified the eligibility criteria for judicial appointments [4].
9
Which group of people was specifically excluded from applying for orders under Article 199(1) regarding their service terms by the First Amendment?
Answer:
Members of the Armed Forces
The First Amendment substituted clause (3) of Article 199 to prohibit the making of orders in relation to members of the Armed Forces of Pakistan regarding their terms and conditions of service or any action taken against them as members of those forces [5]. This effectively limited the High Court's writ jurisdiction over military service matters [5].
10
The First Amendment updated Article 212 regarding Administrative Courts. What happens to proceedings pending in other courts once an Administrative Court is established for those matters?
Answer:
They abate immediately
The amendment to Article 212 ensured that all proceedings regarding matters within the jurisdiction of a new Administrative Court or tribunal that were pending in other courts shall abate upon the establishment of that tribunal [6, 7]. This prevents concurrent jurisdiction over civil service and administrative disputes [7].
11
Under the First Amendment's revision of Article 259, for what can the President now award decorations?
Answer:
Meritorious service in the Armed Forces
The amendment to Article 259 expanded the President's power to award decorations to include 'meritorious service in the Armed Forces' in addition to gallantry and academic distinction [7, 8]. All other titles or honours awarded previously were annulled unless they met these specific criteria [8].
12
How did the First Amendment define the term 'Chief Justice' in Article 260?
Answer:
Includes the Judge for the time being acting as Chief Justice
The First Amendment inserted a new definition into Article 260, clarifying that 'Chief Justice' in relation to the Supreme Court or a High Court includes any judge acting as Chief Justice at that time [8]. This ensures continuity of the office during vacancies or absences [8].
13
The First Amendment modified Article 127 to reduce working days for which assemblies?
Answer:
Provincial Assemblies
The amendment added paragraph (g) to Article 127, stating that the minimum working days for Provincial Assemblies would be reduced from one hundred and thirty to seventy [9]. This applied the same logic of legislative efficiency used for the Senate to the provincial level [9].
14
Which schedule was substituted in its entirety by the First Amendment Act, 1974?
Answer:
The First Schedule's Part IV regarding Federal Acts
The First Amendment substituted Part IV of the First Schedule, specifically listing the Censorship of Films Act, 1963 and the Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 1974 as protected Federal Acts [10, 11]. This was intended to provide legal protection to these specific pieces of legislation [11].
15
What was the primary purpose of the Constitution (Second Amendment) Act, 1974?
Answer:
To define 'Muslim' and 'non-Muslim' for constitutional purposes
The Second Amendment was enacted to provide a clear legal definition of who is a Muslim and who is a non-Muslim within the context of Pakistan's law [12, 13]. It specifically addressed the status of those who do not believe in the finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad [13].
16
According to the Second Amendment, a person who does not believe in the absolute finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) is classified as:
Answer:
A non-Muslim
The amendment to Article 260 states that any person who does not believe in the unqualified finality of the Prophethood of Muhammad (PBUH) or claims to be a prophet after him is not a Muslim for the purposes of the Constitution [13]. This definition is fundamental to the legal identity of citizens in Pakistan [13].
17
Which groups were specifically mentioned in the Second Amendment's update to Article 106(3)?
Answer:
The Quadiani group and the Lahori group
The Second Amendment inserted the 'Quadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves Ahmadis)' into the list of communities in Article 106(3) [14]. This solidified their legal status as a minority community separate from Muslims [14].
18
Under the Second Amendment, the belief in a 'religious reformer' who claims to be a prophet after Muhammad (PBUH) results in:
Answer:
Classification as a non-Muslim
The text of the amendment in Article 260 explicitly declares that anyone who recognizes a claimant as a prophet or religious reformer after Muhammad (PBUH) is not a Muslim [13]. This was intended to prevent any ambiguity regarding the finality of Prophethood [13].
19
The Second Amendment's changes to the definition of a Muslim apply to which areas of law?
Answer:
The entire Constitution and all legal purposes
The amendment added clause (3) to Article 260, specifying that the definition holds for the 'purposes of the Constitution or law' [13]. This means the definition is legally binding across all facets of the Pakistani legal system [13].
20
What was the immediate effect of the Second Amendment upon receiving the President's assent?
Answer:
It came into force at once
The Second Amendment Act, 1974, explicitly states in Section 1(2) that 'It shall come into force at once' [12, 14]. There was no transitional period provided for these specific changes [14].
