1.

(1)   Pakistan shall be Federal Republic to be known as the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, hereinafter referred to as Pakistan.

(2)  The territories of Pakistan shall comprise-

The Republic and its territories.

Islam shall be the State religion of Pakistan.   

2A. 

The principles and provisions set out in the Objectives Resolution reproduced in the Annex are hereby made substantive part of the Constitution and shall have effect accordingly.

 The Objectives Resolution to form part of substantive provisions. 

3.

The State shall ensure the elimination of all forms of exploitation and the gradual fulfilment of the fundamental principle, from each according to his ability to each according to his work.

Elimination of exploitation.

4.

(1)  To enjoy the protection of law and to be treated in accordance with law is the inalienable right of every citizen, wherever he may be, and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan.

 (2) In particular-

Right of individuals to be dealt with in accordance with law, etc.

5.

(1)   Loyalty to the State is the basic duty of every citizen.

(2)   Obedience to the Constitution and law is the (inviolable) obligation of every citizen wherever he may be and of every other person for the time being within Pakistan. 

Loyalty to State and obedience to Constitution and law.

6.

(1)   Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by other un-constitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.

(2)   Any person aiding or abetting the acts mentioned in clause (1) shall likewise be guilty of high treason.

  (3)    (Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) shall by law provide for the punishment of persons found guilty of high treason. 

High treason

Part II

Fundamental rights and Principles of Policy

7.

In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, “the State” means the Federal Government, (Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament), a Provincial Government, a Provincial Assembly, and such local or other authorities in Pakistan as are by law empowered to impose any tax or cess.   

Definition of the State

8.

  (1)  Any law, or any custom or usage having the force of law, in so far as it is inconsistent with the rights conferred by this Chapter, shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, be void.

  (2)  The State shall not make any law which takes away or abridges the rights so conferred and any law made in contravention of this clause shall, to the extent of such contravention, be void.

  (3)  The provisions of this Article shall not apply to-

  (5) The rights conferred by this Chapter shall not be suspended except as expressly provided by the Constitution.   

Laws in consistent with or in derogation of fundamental rights to be void.

9.

No person shall be deprived of life or liberty save in accordance with law.   

Security of person.

10.

    (1) No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed, as soon as may be, of the grounds for such arrest, nor shall he be denied the right to consult and be defended by a legal practitioner of his choice.

     (2) Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before a magistrate within a period of twenty -four hours of such arrest, excluding the time necessary for the journey from the place of arrest to the court of the nearest magistrate, and no such person shall be detained in custody beyond the said period without the authority of a magistrate.

     (3)  Nothing in clauses (1) and (2) shall apply to any person who is arrested or detained under any law providing for preventive detention.

     (4) No law providing for preventive detention shall be made except to deal with persons acting in a manner prejudicial to the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, or external affairs of Pakistan, or public order, or the maintenance of supplies or services, and no such law shall authorize the detention of a person for a period exceeding (three months) unless the appropriate Review Board has, after affording him an opportunity of being heard in person, reviewed his case and reported, before the expiration of the said period, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention, and, if the detention is continued after the said period of (three months), unless the appropriate Review Board has reviewed his case and reported, before the expiration of each period of three months, that there is, in its opinion, sufficient cause for such detention.

         Explanation I.- In this Article, "the appropriate Review Board" means,-

        (i) in the case of a person detained under a Federal law, a Board appointed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan and consisting of a Chairman and two other persons, each of whom is or has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court; and

       (ii) in the case of a person detained under a Provincial law, a Board appointed by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned and consisting of a Chairman and two other persons, each of whom is or has been a Judge of a High Court.

       Explanation II.- The opinion of a Review Board shall be expressed in terms of the views of the majority of its members.

(5) When any person is detained in pursuance of an order made under any law providing for preventive detention, the authority making the order shall, (within fifteen days) from such detention, communicate to such person the grounds on which the order has been made, and shall afford him the earliest opportunity of making a representation against the order:

         Provided that the authority making any such order may refuse to disclose facts which such authority considers it to be against the public interest to disclose.

         (6) The authority making the order shall furnish to the appropriate Review Board all documents relevant to the case unless a certificate, signed by a Secretary to the Government concerned to the effect that it is not in the public interest to furnish any documents, is produced.

          (7) Within a period of twenty-four months commencing on the day of his first detention in pursuance of an order made under a law providing for preventive detention, no person shall be detained in pursuance of any such order for more than a total period of eight months in the case of a person detained for acting in a manner prejudicial to public order and twelve months in any other case:

        (9) Nothing in this Article shall apply to any person who for the time being is an enemy alien   

Safeguards as to arrest and detention

11.

(1) Slavery is non-existent and forbidden and no law shall permit or facilitate its introduction into Pakistan in any form.

      (2) All forms of forced labour and traffic in human beings are prohibited.

     (3) No child below the age of fourteen years shall be engaged in any factory or mine or any other hazardous employment.

      (4) Nothing in this Article shall be deemed to affect compulsory service-

           (a)  by any person undergoing punishment for an offence against any law; or

            (b)  required by any law for public purpose:

       Provided that no compulsory service shall be of a cruel nature or incompatible with human dignity.  

Slavery, forced labour, etc. prohibited.

12

(1) No law shall authorize the punishment of a person-

(a)  for an act or omission that was not punishable by law at the time of the act or omission; or

    (b)  for an offence by a penalty greater than, or of a kind different from, the penalty prescribed by law for that offence at the time the offence was committed.

     (2)  Nothing in clause(1) or in Article 270 shall apply to any law making acts of abrogation or subversion of a Constitution in force in Pakistan at any time since the twenty-third day of March, one thousand nine hundred and fifty-six, an offence. 

Protection against retrospective punishment

13

No person-

.(a)   shall be prosecuted or punished for the same offence more than once; or

(b)   shall, when accused of an offence, be compelled to be a witness against himself. 

Protection against double punishment and self incrimination.

14.

(1)  The dignity of man and, subject to law, the privacy of home, shall be inviolable.

(2)   No person shall be subjected to torture for the purpose of extracting evidence. 

Inviolability of dignity of man, etc.

15.

Every citizen shall have the right to remain in, and, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest, enter and move freely throughout Pakistan and to reside and settle in any part thereof.   

Freedom of movement, etc.

16.

Every citizen shall have the right to assemble peacefully and without arms, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of public order.   

Freedom of assembly.

17.

(1)  Every citizen shall have the right to form associations or unions, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of (sovereignty or integrity or Pakistan, public order or morality).

 (2)  Every citizen, not being in the service of Pakistan, shall have the right to form or be a member of a political party, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan  1or public order and such law shall provide that where the Federal Government  declares that any political party has been formed or is operating in a manner prejudicial to the sovereignty or integrity of Pakistan, 2 or public order or , the Federal Government shall, within fifteen days of such declaration, refer the matter to the Supreme Court whose decision on such reference shall be final.

2Provided  that no  political party shall promote secretarian, ethnic, regional hatred or animosity, or be titled or constituted as a militant group or section

      (3)  Every political party shall account for the source of its funds in accordance with law.   

2 New Cl. (4) added ibid.,

Freedom of association.

18.

Subject to such qualifications, if any, as may be prescribed by law, every citizen shall have the right to enter upon any lawful profession or occupation, and to conduct any lawful trade or business:

    Provided that nothing in this Article shall prevent-

    (a)  the regulation of any trade or profession by a licensing system; or

    (b)   the regulation of trade, commerce or industry in the interest of free competition therein; or

     (c)    the carrying on, by the Federal Government or a Provincial Government, or by a corporation controlled by any such Government, of any trade, business, industry or service, to the exclusion, complete or partial, of other persons.   

Freedom of trade, business or profession.

19

Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall  be  freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed   by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order,  decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, 1[commission of] or in relation to an offence.   

Freedom of speech, etc.

20.

Subject to law, public order and morality,-

(a)  every citizen shall have the right to profess, practise and propagate his religion; and

(b)    every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.   

Freedom to profess religion and to manage religious institutions.

21

     No person shall be compelled to pay any special tax the proceeds of which are to be spent on the propagation or maintenance of any religion other than his own.

Safeguard against taxation for purposes of any particular religion. 

22.

    (1)  No person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instruction, or take part in any religious ceremony, or attend religious worship, if such instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own.

    (2)  In respect of any religious institution, there shall be no discrimination against any community in the granting of exemption or concession in relation to taxation.

     (3)  Subject to law,

   (a)  no religious community or denomination shall be prevented from providing religious instruction for pupils of that community or denomination in any educational institution maintained wholly by that community or denomination; and

    (b)   no citizen shall be denied admission to any educational institution receiving aid from public revenues on the ground only of race, religion, caste or place of birth.

     (4)   Nothing in this Article shall prevent any public authority from making provision for the advancement of any socially or educationally backward class of citizens.   

Safeguards as to educational institutions in respect of religion, etc.

23.

Every citizen shall have the right to acquire, hold and dispose of property in any part of Pakistan, subject to the Constitution and any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the public interest.   

Provision as to property.

24.

    (1)  No person shall b e deprived of his property save in accordance with law.

    (2)   No property shall be compulsorily acquired or taken possession of save for a public purpose, and save by the authority of law which provides for compensation therefore and either fixes the amount of compensation or specifies the principles on and the manner in which compensation is to be determined and given.

    (3)   Nothing in this Article shall affect the validity of-

            (a)   any law permitting the compulsory acquisition or taking possession of any property for preventing danger to life, property or public health; or

            (b)    any law permitting the taking over of any property which has been acquired by, or come into the possession of, any person by any unfair means, or in any manner, contrary to law; or

            (c)     any law relating to the acquisition, administration or disposal of any property which is or is deemed to be enemy property or evacuee property under any law (not being property which has ceased to be evacuee property under any law); or

          (d)     any law providing for the taking over of the management of any property by the State for a limited period, either in the public interest or in order to secure the proper management of the property, or for the benefit of its owner; or

        (e)  any law providing for the acquisition of any class of property for the purpose of-

         (i) providing education and medical aid to all or any specified class of citizens; or

          ii) providing housing and public facilities and services such as roads, water supply, sewerage, gas and electric power to all or any specified class of citizens; or

       (iii) providing maintenance to those who, on account of unemployment, sickness, infirmity or old age, are unable to maintain themselves; or

     (4) The adequacy or otherwise of any compensation provided for by any such law as is referred to in this Article, or determined in pursuance thereof, shall not be called in question in any court.   

Protection of property rights.

25.

        (1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.

      (2)  There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex alone.

      (3)  Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.   

Equality of citizens.

26.

     (1)  In respect of access to places of public entertainment or resort, not intended for religious purposes only, there shall be no discrimination against any citizen on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth.

     (2)  Noting in clause (1) shall prevent the State from making any special provision for women and children.   

Non-discrimination in respect of access to public places.

27.

   (1)  No citizen otherwise qualified for appointment in the service of Pakistan shall be discriminated against in respect of any such appointment on the ground only of race, religion, caste, sex, residence or place of birth:

      Providing that, for a period not exceeding 1[forty] years from the commencing day, posts may be reserved for persons belonging to any class or area to secure their adequate representation in the service of Pakistan:

    Provided further that, in the interest of the said service, specified posts or services may be reserved for members of either sex if such posts or services entail the performance of duties and functions which cannot be adequately performed by members of the other sex.

   (2)  Nothing in clause (1) shall prevent any Provincial Government, or any local or other authority in a Province, from prescribing, in relation to any post or class of service under that Government or authority, conditions as to residence in the Province, for a period not exceeding three years, prior to appointment under that Government or authority.   

1 Subsituted and shall be deemed always to have been so substituted by the Constitution (Sixteenth Amendment) Act 1999)s,2 for "[twenty]" which was previously subs. by P.O No 14 of 1985, Art 2 and sch., for "ten"

Safeguard against discrimination in services.

28.

Subject to Article 251 any section of citizens having a distinct language, script or culture shall have the right to preserve and promote the same and subject to law, establish institutions for that purpose.   

Preservation of language, script and culture.

29.

     (1)  The Principles set out in this Chapter shall be known as the Principles of Policy, and it is the responsibility of each organ and authority of the State, and of each person performing functions on behalf of an organ or authority of the State, to act in accordance with those Principles in so far as they relate to the functions of the organ or authority. 

    (2)  In so far as the observance of any particular Principle of Policy may be dependent upon resources being available for the purpose, the Principle shall be regarded as being subject to the availability of resources. 

     (3)  In respect of each year, the President in relation to the affairs of the Federation, and the Governor of each Province in relation to the affairs of his Province, shall cause to be prepared and laid before the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly, a report on the observance and implementation of the Principles of Policy, and provision shall be made in the rules of procedure of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly, for discussion on such report.  

Principles of Policy

30.

    (1)  The responsibility of deciding whether any action of an organ or authority of the State, or of a person performing functions on behalf of an organ or authority of the State, is in accordance with the Principles of Policy is that of the organ or authority of the State, or of the person, concerned.

    (2)  The validity of an action or of a law shall not be called in question on the ground that it is not in accordance with the Principles of Policy, and no action shall lie against the State, any organ or authority of the State or any person on such ground.   

Responsibility with respect to Principles of Policy.

31.

     (1)  Steps shall be taken to enable the Muslims of Pakistan, individually and collectively, to order their lives in accordance with the fundamental principles and basic concepts of Islam and to provide facilities whereby they may be enabled to understand the meaning of life according to the Holy Quran and Sunnah.

     (2)  The State shall endeavor, as respects the Muslims of Pakistan,-

            (a)  to make the teaching of the Holy Quran and Islamiat compulsory, to encourage and facilitate the learning of Arabic language and to secure correct and exact printing and publishing of the Holy Quran;

        (b)  to promote unity and the observance of the Islamic moral standards; and

        (c)   to secure the proper organization of Zakat,(usher) auqaf and mosques. 

Islamic way of life.

32.

The State shall encourage local Government institutions composed of elected representatives of the areas concerned and in such institutions special representation will be given to peasants, workers and women.   

Promotion of local Government institutions.

33.

The State shall discourage parochial, racial, tribal sectarian and provincial prejudices among the citizens.

Parochial and other similar prejudices to be discouraged. 

34.

Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life.

Full participation of women in national life. 

35.

The State shall protect the marriage, the family, the mother and the child.   

Protection of family, etc.

36.

The State shall safeguard the legitimate rights and interest of minorities, including their due representation in the Federal and Provincial services.   

Protection of minorities.

37.

The State shall-

(a)  promote, with special care, the educational and economic interests of backward classes or areas;

(b)  remove illiteracy and provide free and compulsory secondary education within minimum possible period;

(c)    make technical and professional education generally available and higher education equally accessible to all on the basis of merit;

(d)   ensure inexpensive and expeditious justice;

(e)    make provision for securing just and humane conditions of work, ensuring that children and women are not employed in vocations unsuited to their age or sex, and for maternity benefits for women in employment;

(f)   enable the people of different areas, through education, training, agricultural and industrial development and other methods, to participate fully in all forms of national activities, including employment in the service of Pakistan;

(g)   prevent prostitution, gambling and taking of injurious drugs, printing, publication, circulation and display of obscene literature and advertisements;

(h)   prevent the consumption of alcoholic liquor otherwise than for medicinal and, in the case of non-Muslims, religious purposes; and

(i)   decentralize the Government administration so as to facilitate expeditious disposal of its business to meet the convenience and requirements of the public.   

Promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils.

38.

The State shall-

(a)   secure the well-being of the people, irrespective of sex, caste, creed or race, by raising their standard of living, by preventing the concentration of wealth and means of production and distribution in the hands of a few to the detriment of general interest and by ensuring equitable adjustment of rights between employers and employees, and landlords and tenants;

(b)   provide for all citizens, within the available resources of the country, facilities for work and adequate livelihood with reasonable rest and leisure;

(c)    provide for all persons employed in the service of Pakistan or otherwise, social security by compulsory social insurance or other means;

(d)   provide basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing , education and medical relief, for all such citizens, irrespective of sex caste, creed or race, as are permanently or temporarily unable to earn their livelihood on account of infirmity, sickness or unemployment;

(e)   reduce disparity in the income and earnings of individuals, including persons in the various classes of the service of Pakistan; and

(f)    eliminate riba as early as possible.    

Promotion of social and economic well-being of the people.

39.

The State shall enable people from all parts of Pakistan to participate in the Armed Forces of Pakistan.

Participation of people in Armed Forces. 

40.

The State shall endeavor to preserve and strengthen fraternal relations among Muslim countries based on Islamic unity, support the common interests of the peoples of Asia, Africa and Latin America, promote international peace and security, foster goodwill and friendly relations among all nations and encourage the settlement of international disputes by peaceful means.   

Strengthening bonds with Muslims world and promoting international peace.

41.

    (1)   There shall be a President of Pakistan who shall be the Head of State and shall represent the unity of the Republic.

    (2)   A person shall not be qualified for election as President unless he is a Muslim of not less than forty-five years of age and is qualified to be elected as member of the National Assembly.

    (3)    The President to be elected after the expiration of the term specified in clause (7) shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of the Second Schedule by the members of an electoral college consisting of-

            (a)  the members of both Houses; and

            (b)  the members of the Provincial Assemblies.

      (4)    Election to the office of President shall be held not earlier than sixty days and not later than thirty days before the expiration of the term of the President in office:

       Provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly.

    (5)   An election to fill a vacancy in the office of President shall be held not later than thirty days from the occurrence of the vacancy:

     Provided that, if the election cannot be held within the period aforesaid because the National Assembly is dissolved, it shall be held within thirty days of the general election to the Assembly.

    (6)   The validity of the election of the President shall not be called in question by or before any court or other authority.

   1 (7)    The Executive of  the Islamic Republic of Pakistan-

(a)    shall relinquish the office of Chief Executive on such day as he may determine in accordance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan of 12the May 2000; and

(b)   having received the democratic mandate to serve the the nation as President of Pakistan for a period of five years shall, relinquishing the office of Chief Executive, not with the standing anything contained in this Article or Articles 43 or any other provisions of the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force, assume the office of President of Pakistan forthwith and shall hold office of term of five years under the Constitution, and other provision of the Constitution shall apply accordingly.;

     2Provided that, paragraph d of clause (1) of Article 63 shall become operative on and from the 31st day of December, 2004."

3(8)    Without prejudice to the provisions of the clause (7), any member or members of a House of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or of Provincial Assembly, individually or jointly, may, not later than thirty days from the commencement of the Constitution (Seventeenth Amendment) Act, 2003, move a resolution for vote of confidence for further affirmation of the President in office by majority of the members present and voting, by division or any other method as prescribed in the rules made by the Federal Government Under clause (9), of the electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Majis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and the Provincial Assemblies, in a  special session of each House of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) and of each Provincial Assembly summoned for the purpose, and the vote of confidence having been passed, the President, notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or judgment of any court, shall be deemed  to be elected to hold office for a term of five years under the Constitution, and the same shall not be called in question in any court or forum on any ground whatsoever:

(9)    Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution or any other law for the time being in force, the proceedings  for the vote of confident referred to in clause(8) shall be regulated and conducted by the Chief Election Commission in accordance with such procedure and the votes shall be counted in such manner as may be prescribed by the rules framed by the Federal Government:

Provided that clauses (8) and (9) shall be valid only for the forthcoming vote of confidence for the current term of the President in office."

 1 Subs. by the Legal Framework Order, 2002(C.E's.O.No.24 of 2002), Art.3 and Sch, for cl.(7), which was previously amended by P.O.No 14 of 1985, Art.2 and Sch.

2.Sub an added by Act No III/2003,dt 31/12/2003   

The President.

42.

Before entering upon office, the President shall make before the Chief Justice of Pakistan oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.   

Oath of President.

43.

   (1)   The President shall not hold any office of profit in the service of Pakistan or occupy any other position carrying the right to remuneration for the rendering of services.

   (2)   The President shall not be a candidate for election as a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly; and, if a member of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or a Provincial Assembly is elected as President, his seat in Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) or, as the case may be, the Provincial Assembly shall become vacant on the day he enters upon his office.   

Conditions of President's office.

44.

   (1)   Subject to the Constitution, the President shall hold office for a term of five years from the day he enters upon his office:

   Provided that the President shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office.

   (2)   Subject to the Constitution, a person holding office as President shall be eligible for re-election to that office, but no person shall hold that office for more than two consecutive terms.

   (3)   The President may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker of the National Assembly, resign his office.   

Term of office of President.

45.

The President shall have power to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, tribunal or other authority.   

President's power to grant pardon etc.

46.

It shall be the duty of the Prime Minister-

(a)   to communicate to the President all decisions of the Cabinet relating to the administration of the affairs of the Federation and proposals for legislation;

(b)   to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the Federation and proposals for legislation as the President may call for; and

(c)   if the President so requires, to submit for the consideration of the Cabinet any matter on which a decision has been taken by the Prime Minister or a Minister but which has not been considered by the Cabinet.   

Duties of Prime Minister in relation to President.

47.

   (1)   Notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution, the President may, in accordance with the provision of this Article, be removed from office on the ground of physical or mental incapacity or impeached on a charge of violating the Constitution or gross misconduct.

   (2)   Not less than one-half of the total membership of either House may give to the Speaker of the National Assembly or, as the case may be, the Chairman written notice of its intention to move a resolution for the removal of, or, as the case may be, to impeach, the President; and such notice shall set out the particulars of his incapacity or of the charge against him.

   (3)   If a notice under clause (2) is received by the Chairman, he shall transmit it forthwith to the Speaker.

   (4)   The Speaker shall, within three days of the receipt of a notice under clause (2) or clause (3), cause a copy of the notice to be transmitted to the President.

   (5)   The Speaker shall summon the two Houses to meet in a joint sitting not earlier than seven days and not later than fourteen days after the receipt of the notice by him.

   (6)   The joint sitting may  investigate or cause to be investigated the ground or the charge upon which the notice is founded.

   (7)   The President shall have the right to appear and be represented during the investigation, if any, and before the joint sitting.

   (8)   If, after consideration of the result of the investigation, if any, a resolution is passed at the joint sitting by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) declaring that the President is unfit to hold the office due to incapacity or is guilty of violating the Constitution or of gross misconduct, the President shall cease to hold office immediately on the passing of the resolution.   

Removal (or impeachment) of President.

48.

   (1)   In the exercise of his functions, the President shall act in accordance with the advice of the Cabinet, (or the Prime Minister)

      Provided that the President may require the Cabinet or, as the case may be, the Prime Minister to reconsider such advice, either generally or otherwise, and the President shall act in accordance with the advice tendered after such reconsideration.

    (2)   Notwithstanding anything contained in clause(1), the President shall act in his discretion in respect of any matter in respect of which he is empowered by the Constitution to do so and the validity of anything done by the President in his discretion shall not be called in question on any ground whatsoever".       

   (4)   The question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered to the President by the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, a Minister or Minister of State shall not be inquired into in, or by, any court, tribunal or other authority,

   (5)   Whether the President dissolves the National Assembly, he shall, in his discretion,-

          (a)  appoint a date, not later than (Ninety) days from the date of the dissolution, for the holding of a general election to the Assembly, and

          (b)  appoint a care-taker Cabinet.

   (6)   If, at any time, the President, in his discretion, or on the advice of the Prime Minister, considers that it is desirable that any matter of national importance should be referred to a referendum, the President may cause the matter to be referred to a referendum in the form of a question that is capable of being answered either by "Yes" or "No".

    (7)   An Act of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may lay down the procedure for the holding of a referendum and the compiling and consolidation of the result of a referendum.   

President to act on advice, etc.

(1)   If the office of President becomes vacant by reason of death, resignation or removal of the President, the Chairman or, if he is unable to perform the functions of the office of President, the Speaker of the National Assembly shall act as President until a President is elected in accordance with clause (3) of Article 41.

   (2)   When the President, by reason of absence from Pakistan or any other cause, is unable to perform his functions, the Chairman or, if he too is absent or unable to perform the functions of the office of President, the Speaker of the National Assembly shall perform the functions of President until the President returns to Pakistan or, as the case may be, resumes his functions

Chapter 2

THE MAJLIS-E-SHOORA (PARLIAMENT)  

1   (1)   There shall be three hundred and forty-two seats of the members in the National Assembly, including seats reserved for women and non-Muslims

(1A) The seats in the National Assembly referred to in clause (1), except as provided in clause (2A), are allocated to each Province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Federal Capital as under.

  (2)   A person shall be entitled to vote if-

         (a)   he is a citizen of Pakistan;

         (b)   he is not less than 2(eighteen) years of age;

         (c)    his name appears on the electoral roll; and

        (d)    he is not declared by a competent  court to be of unsound mind.

 3 (2A)   In addition to the number of seats referred to in clause (1), there shall be, in the National Assembly, ten seats reserved for non-Muslims

(3) The seats in the National Assembly shall be allocated to each province, the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and the Federal Capital on the basis pf population in accordance with the last preceding census officially published 

'[(4) For the purpose of election to the National Assembly,-

(a) the constituencies for the general seats shall be single member territorial constituencies and the members to fill such seats shall be elected by direct and free vote in accordance with law;

(b) each Province shall be a single constituency for all seats reserved for women which are allocated to the respective Provinces under clause (lA);

(c) the constituency for all seats reserved for non-Muslims shall be the whole country;

(d) members to the seats reserved for women which are allocated to a Province under clause (lA) shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats secured by each political party from the Province concerned in the National Assembly [:]2

Provided that for the purpose of this sub-clause the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join political party within three days of the publication in the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates;

(e) members to the seats reserved for non-Muslims shall be elected in accordance with law through proportional representation system of political parties' lists of candidates on the basis of total number of general seats won by each political party in the National Assembly: .

[Provided that for the purpose of this sub- clause the total number of general seats won by a political party shall include the independent returned candidate or candidates who may duly join such political party within three days of publication un the official Gazette of the names of the returned candidates;]]

4*       *          *          *      *        *      *

  1Subs by the Legal Framework Order,2002(C.E's O. No 24 of 2002) Art.3 and Sch., for cl. (4), which was previously amended by Act 18 of 1985, s.3.

4 Cls. (4A) to (6) omitted by Legal Framework Order,2002(C.E's. O.No.24 of 2002),Art.3 ans sch., which was previously amended by various enactments.

(1)   After a general election, the National Assembly shall, at its first meeting and to the exclusion of any other business, elect from amongst its members a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker and, so often as the office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker becomes vacant, the Assembly shall elect another member as Speaker or, as the case may be, Deputy Speaker.

  (2)  Before entering upon office, a member elected as Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall make before the National Assembly oath in the form set out in the Third Schedule.

   (3)   When the office of Speaker is vacant, or the Speaker is absent or is unable to perform his functions due to any cause, the Deputy Secretary shall act as Speaker, and if, at that time, the Deputy Speaker is also absent or is unable to act as Speaker due to any cause, such member as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the Assembly shall preside at the meeting of the Assembly.

     (4)   The Speaker or the Deputy Speaker shall not preside at a meeting of the Assembly when a resolution for his removal from office is being considered.

   (5)   The Speaker may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.

   (6)   The Deputy Speaker may, by writing under his hand addressed to the Speaker, resign his office.

   (7)   The office of Speaker or Deputy Speaker shall become vacant if-

           (a)   he resigns his office;

           (b)   he ceases to be a member of the Assembly; or

           (c)    he is removed from office by a resolution of the Assembly, of which not less than seven days' notice has been given and which is passed by the votes of the majority of the total membership of the Assembly.

   (8)   When the National Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker shall continue in his office till the person elected to fill the office by the next Assembly enters upon his office. 

(1)   The President may, from time to time, summon either House or both Houses or Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) in joint sitting to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit and may also prorogue the same.

    (2)   There shall be at least (three) sessions of the National Assembly every year, and not more than one hundred and twenty days shall intervene between the last sitting of the Assembly in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session:

     Provided that the National Assembly shall meet for not less than one hundred and (Thirty) working days in each year.

     Explanation.- In this clause, "working days" includes any day on which there is a joint sitting and any period, not exceeding two days, for which the National Assembly is adjourned.

    (3)   On a requisition signed by not less than one-fourth of the total membership of the National Assembly, the Speaker shall summon the National Assembly to meet, at such time and place as he thinks fit, within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition; and when the Speaker has summoned the Assembly only he may prorogue it.

(1)   Subject to the Constitution, all decisions of the National Assembly shall be taken by majority of the members present and voting, but the person presiding shall not vote except in the case of equality of votes.

    (2)   If at any time during a sitting of the National Assembly the attention of the person presiding is drawn to the fact that less than one-fourth of the total membership of the Assembly is present, he shall either adjourn the Assembly or suspend the meeting until at least one-fourth of such membership is present.