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The Objectives Resolution (1949)

The Objectives Resolution was Pakistan's first constitutional document passed in 1949. It established that sovereignty belongs only to God and the state exercises powers as a sacred trust. It aimed to organize life according to the teachings of Islam and principles of democracy, equality and social justice. The Resolution faced objections from non-Muslims who felt it could promote inequality and a theocratic state. However, it remained important as the constitutional framework and preamble, balancing Islamic laws with democratic values.

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560 views2 pages

The Objectives Resolution (1949)

The Objectives Resolution was Pakistan's first constitutional document passed in 1949. It established that sovereignty belongs only to God and the state exercises powers as a sacred trust. It aimed to organize life according to the teachings of Islam and principles of democracy, equality and social justice. The Resolution faced objections from non-Muslims who felt it could promote inequality and a theocratic state. However, it remained important as the constitutional framework and preamble, balancing Islamic laws with democratic values.

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Kainat Nawaz
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The Objectives Resolution (1949)

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 happiness of
humanity.

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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
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.

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