Constitutional And Political History Of Pakistan By Hamid Khan.pdf Here
Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan by Hamid Khan, published by Oxford University Press, is a definitive scholarly resource documenting the country's legal evolution from 1947 through various constitutional forms. The extensively researched 4th edition is widely utilized by legal professionals and competitive exam candidates (CSS/PMS) for its analysis of landmark cases and major constitutional shifts, including the 18th Amendment. For the comprehensive, authorized edition, visit Oxford University Press Pakistan. CONSTITUTIONAL AND POLITICAL HISTORY OF PAKISTAN
You're looking for a comprehensive guide covering the constitutional and political history of Pakistan, specifically referencing Hamid Khan's work.
Here's an outline that should provide a solid understanding of the topic:
Introduction
- Pakistan gained independence on August 14, 1947, with Muhammad Ali Jinnah as its first Governor-General.
- The country's early years were marked by significant challenges, including the Kashmir dispute, refugee crises, and the establishment of a new state.
Constitutional History
- Government of India Act, 1935: This Act served as the interim constitution for Pakistan until a new constitution could be framed.
- Objectives Resolution (1949): Passed by the Constituent Assembly, this resolution outlined the basic principles of Pakistan's constitution, including sovereignty of Allah and democracy.
- Constitution of 1956: Pakistan's first constitution, which established a parliamentary system and a federal structure with a weak center.
- Constitution of 1962: Introduced by President Ayub Khan, this constitution established a presidential system and a unicameral legislature.
- Constitution of 1973: Pakistan's current constitution, which re-established a parliamentary system and a federal structure.
Political History
- Early Years (1947-1958): Pakistan's early years were marked by instability, with frequent changes in government and the assassination of Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan in 1951.
- Military Rule (1958-1969): President Ayub Khan seized power in 1958 and ruled Pakistan until his overthrow in 1969.
- Bhutto Era (1973-1977): Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto introduced significant reforms, including the nationalization of industries and the establishment of a new constitution.
- Military Rule (1977-1985): General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq seized power in 1977 and ruled Pakistan until his death in 1988.
- Democratization (1985-2007): Pakistan transitioned to democracy in the 1990s, with the election of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif as prime ministers.
- Recent Developments (2008-present): Pakistan has continued to face challenges, including terrorism, corruption, and political instability.
Key Figures
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Founder of Pakistan and its first Governor-General.
- Liaqat Ali Khan: Pakistan's first Prime Minister.
- Ayub Khan: Pakistan's first military ruler.
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto: Prime Minister and founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).
- Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq: Military ruler who implemented Islamization policies.
- Benazir Bhutto: Prime Minister and daughter of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto.
- Nawaz Sharif: Prime Minister and leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N).
Hamid Khan's Work
Hamid Khan's book, "Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan," provides an in-depth analysis of Pakistan's constitutional and political development. The book covers the country's early years, its constitutional history, and the major political events that have shaped its development.
Hamid Khan’s "Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan" provides a comprehensive analysis of the nation's legal and political evolution, highlighting the tension between parliamentary democracy and military rule. The work details the evolution of Pakistan's constitutions, the role of judicial "doctrine of necessity" in coups, and the challenges of federalism from 1947 to the present. For more details, visit Oxford University Press
Constitutional And Political History Of Pakistan By Hamid Khan Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan by Hamid
Title: Essential, authoritative, but dense – a must-read for understanding Pakistan’s legal-political maze
Rating: 4.5/5
Hamid Khan’s Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan is widely regarded as a foundational text for anyone seeking to understand the country’s turbulent journey from independence in 1947 to the modern era. This PDF edition makes an already indispensable work easily accessible.
Strengths:
- Unmatched clarity on constitutional crises: Khan, a senior lawyer and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, dissects each martial law, constitutional amendment, and judicial intervention with precision. The breakdown of the 1956, 1962, and 1973 constitutions—and how each was subverted—is masterful.
- Balanced political narrative: Despite the author’s legal background, the book does not shy away from political failures, from the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan to the breakup of 1971, the Zia-ul-Haq era’s Islamization, and the repeated derailment of democracy.
- Detailed case references: Unlike purely political histories, this work explains key judgments (e.g., Dosso case, Asma Jilani case, Zafar Ali Shah case) that shaped the doctrine of state necessity and judicial validation of coups.
- PDF usability: The scanned/typed PDF is generally clear, with searchable text (depending on the version), making it easy to find specific acts, amendments, or personalities.
Weaknesses:
- Dense and lawyerly prose: This is not a light read. Khan assumes basic familiarity with Pakistani parliamentary procedures and legal terms. Undergraduates or casual readers may find chapters dry or overwhelming.
- Lacks social and regional depth: The focus remains heavily on elite politics (judges, generals, governors-general). You will find little on social movements, Baloch or Sindhi grievances, or economic forces driving constitutional changes.
- Post-2010 coverage varies: Depending on which PDF edition you have (most circulate the 1st or 2nd edition), the final chapters may stop around 2008–2010. If you need analysis of the 18th Amendment or the PTI era, check the publication date.
- PDF formatting issues: Some OCR copies contain typos (e.g., “Article 58-2B” misrendered), missing footnotes, or skewed page scans. Make sure you have a clean, bookmarked version.
Verdict:
⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
If you are a law student, political science researcher, journalist, or civil servant, this book is non-negotiable. For a general reader wanting a less technical narrative, try Ian Talbot’s Pakistan: A Modern History first, then return to Hamid Khan. Despite its dry patches, this PDF remains the gold standard for constitutional pathology in Pakistan.
Recommended for:
Lawyers, historians, policy analysts, and anyone asking “Why does Pakistan’s constitution keep breaking?”
Hamid Khan's "Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan" is a comprehensive guide to the country's legal and political development, widely used by law students and researchers to study key constitutional milestones. The text covers significant periods, including pre-partition developments, the 1956, 1962, and 1973 constitutions, and the impacts of various political regimes. You can find digital versions and excerpts of the book on or through the Open Library Open Library
Constitutional and Political History of Pakistan | PDF - Scribd
2. The Role of the Superior Judiciary
Hamid Khan is critical of judges who validated martial law. He contrasts the Zafar Ali Shah case (2000) – validating Musharraf’s PCO – with the Lawyers’ Movement – where judges finally resisted. Pakistan gained independence on August 14, 1947, with
4. Islam and Constitution
- Objective Resolution (1949) vs. Zia’s Hudood Ordinances – Hamid Khan argues Zia used Islam for political survival, not genuine legal reform.
3. Federalism vs. Centralism
Hamid Khan, a Punjabi lawyer from Lahore, is surprisingly sympathetic to smaller provinces. He documents how the One Unit Scheme (1955) and resource distribution were never settled. The National Finance Commission (NFC) Award disputes are explained in granular detail, showing why Sindhis and Baloch feel aggrieved.