Pakistan Studies
What the Pakistan Studies section tests
The section covers the freedom movement, constitutional development, geography, and state institutions. Expect dates, documents, and causal links rather than isolated names.
Core rules
- Lahore Resolution: 23 March 1940, demanding independent states in the Muslim-majority regions.
- Pakistan became independent on 14 August 1947; Quaid-e-Azam was the first Governor-General, Liaquat Ali Khan the first Prime Minister.
- The Objectives Resolution was passed in 1949 and became a preamble to later constitutions.
- The 1956 Constitution created a parliamentary system with a single house; the 1962 Constitution created a presidential system; the 1973 Constitution restored parliamentary government with a bicameral legislature.
- The 1973 Constitution's legislature is Majlis-e-Shoora: National Assembly and Senate. The Prime Minister is chief executive; the President is head of state.
Worked example
Which constitution introduced a bicameral legislature and made the Prime Minister chief executive? Reasoning: 1956 was parliamentary but unicameral. 1962 was presidential. 1973 created the National Assembly and Senate and made the PM chief executive, with the President acting on ministerial advice. The answer is the 1973 Constitution.
Traps that cost marks
- Saying the 1956 Constitution was bicameral; it was unicameral.
- Confusing the Lahore Resolution date with the Delhi Muslim Proposals or the Simla Deputation.
- Mixing the first Governor-General with the first Prime Minister.
- Placing the Khyber Pass in Punjab rather than in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
- Forgetting that the Objectives Resolution was not a full constitution.