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The Objectives Resolution (1949) - Pakistan Affairs Notes For CSS-PMS

The Objectives Resolution was Pakistan's first constitutional document passed in 1949. It established Islam as the guiding principle and established principles of democracy, equality, and social justice according to Islamic teachings. It recognized the sovereignty of God and delegated authority to the state. It also protected the rights of minorities and autonomous provincial governments. However, non-Muslims objected that it mixed religion and politics and could promote inequality. Nonetheless, the Resolution remained the preamble to all future constitutions due to its importance in defining Pakistan's ideological foundations.

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The Objectives Resolution (1949) - Pakistan Affairs Notes For CSS-PMS

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The Objectives Resolution (1949) | Pakistan Affairs Notes for CSS-

PMS

The Objectives Resolution was the first constitutional document that proved to be the
‘foundation’ of the constitutional developments in Pakistan. It provided parameters and
sublime principles to the legislators. It made the constitution-making process easy task
setting some particular objectives before them that would be acceptable to the people of
Pakistan who had suffered a lot under the Hindu-dominated majority. The Resolution was
moved by Liaquat Ali Khan, the then Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and
approved on March 12, 1949.

The Constituent Assembly (1947-54)

The first Constituent Assembly came into existence under Indian Independence Act 1947.
The elections were held in July 1946 to decide the destiny of the All India Muslim League
(AIML)’s claim that it is the only representative party of the Indian Muslims that desire
separate homeland, Pakistan. The members from the districts that became part of Pakistan
were declared members of the Constituent Assembly. The number of such members was 69.
It increased to 79 after the 1947 when some states joined Pakistan and then increase in the
population. There were two major parties, Muslim League and Congress in the Assembly at
that time. This Assembly had dual functions to perform.

Features of the Objectives Resolution

1. Sovereignty over the entire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone.

2. The authority which He has delegated to the state of Pakistan through its people for
being exercised within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust.
3. Constitution will be framed for sovereign, independent state of Pakistan.
4. The state shall exercise its power through the representatives of the people.
5. Principles of Democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance and social justice as enunciated
by Islam will be fully observed.
6. Muslims shall be enabled to organize their lives in accordance with the teachings and
requirements of Islam as set out in the Quran and the Sunnah.
7. Minorities to have freedom to freely profess and practice their religions and develop
their cultures.
8. Provisions for safeguarding the legitimate interests of minorities, backward and
depressed classes.
9. Pakistan shall be a Federation with autonomous units. State’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity will be protected.
10. People of Pakistan should prosper and attain their rightful place in the comity of
nations and make contribution towards international peace and progress and

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The Objectives Resolution (1949) | Pakistan Affairs Notes for CSS-
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happiness of humanity.

Explanation and Importance

The Resolution declared the sovereignty of God as the distinctive political philosophy. The
Western democracy gives the notion that sovereignty lies in the people but this Resolution is
important having the concept of the sovereignty of God. It clarified that people would utilize
powers gifted by God so they would have to work within the limits prescribed by Him. The
exercise of the powers is a sacred trust. The representatives of the people of Pakistan will
manage the affairs under the universal ideology of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance,
and social justice with the spirit of an Islamic framework.

The Resolution pledged to give the due respect and rights to the minorities, backward and
depressed classes in the benign society of Pakistan. Their rights, interests, religion and
culture were not confuted.

It’s important that the Resolution promised the federating units for due powers, autonomy
and territorial integrity.

Objections by Non-Muslims

The major objection by the Non-Muslims was that the government was trying to mix the
religion and politics that was against the spirit of democracy. The non-Muslims objected on
the

‘Sovereignty of Allah’ and minorities’ rights, saying it would promote inequality in the
society. They were also of view that Shariah was not adequate for the modern time. They
feared that it would encourage the religious extremists to work for the establishment of a
‘theocratic state.’

Importance

The Objectives Resolution is a basic and primary document of the constitutional history of

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Pakistan. It is a framework that provides mechanism to achieve goals for a better life of the
people of Pakistan. It’s important that it embraces centrality of Islam to polity sustaining
their links with the pre-independence period. The AIML leaders were modernist Muslims
not in favour of an orthodox religious state. Therefore, they selected the middle way abiding
by the Islamic laws and the international democratic values. The Resolution remained
‘Preamble of all the constitutions due to its importance.

Courtesy: CSSForum

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