Lesson 3/34 min
Two constitutions & martial law
The first constitution & the first martial law
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 29 February 1956 | The Constituent Assembly adopts the first constitution |
| 23 March 1956 | The constitution takes effect; Pakistan becomes an ‘Islamic Republic’ with Iskander Mirza as first President |
| 7 October 1958 | Iskander Mirza declares martial law and abrogates the constitution; Ayub Khan becomes Chief Martial Law Administrator |
| 27 October 1958 | Ayub Khan removes Mirza and declares himself President |
The second constitution & the second martial law
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 27 October 1959 | Ayub Khan issues the ‘Basic Democracies’ Order |
| 17 February 1960 | A Constitution Commission is formed under Justice Muhammad Shahabuddin |
| 6 May 1961 | The commission submits its report |
| 1 March 1962 | The second constitution is promulgated |
| 25 March 1969 | Yahya Khan declares martial law for the second time |
More to know
- Under the 1956 constitution the National Assembly had 310 seats (300 + 10 reserved for women), 155 for each wing
- Under the second constitution too, the central legislature was called the National Assembly
- The East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act was passed in 1950
Memory trick: 23 March comes up three times: 1940 the Lahore Resolution, 1956 the first constitution, 1966 the formal announcement of the Six Points.
Check yourself
Who first declared martial law in Pakistan, and when?
At a glance
- 1
Pakistan's first constitution took effect on 23 March 1956.
- 2
Iskander Mirza declared the first martial law on 7 October 1958; Ayub Khan was Chief Martial Law Administrator.
- 3
Ayub Khan issued the ‘Basic Democracies’ Order on 27 October 1959.
- 4
The second constitution was promulgated on 1 March 1962.
- 5
Yahya Khan declared the second martial law on 25 March 1969.