Objectives Resolution
The Pakistani Objectives Resolution
Sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Allah Almighty alone and 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.[2]
1. This Constituent Assembly representing the people of Pakistan resolves to frame a
constitution for the sovereign independent state of Pakistan.
2. The state shall exercise its powers and authority through the chosen representatives
of the people.
3. The principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice, as
enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed.
4. The Muslims shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective
spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in
the Holy Quran and Sunnah.
5. Adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely progress and practice
their religions and develop their cultures.
6. Pakistan shall be a federation and its constituent units will be autonomous.
7. Fundamental rights shall be guaranteed. They include equality of status,
opportunity and before law, social, economic, and political justice, and freedom of
thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, and association, subject to (the) law and
public morality.
8. Adequate provisions shall be made to safeguard the legitimate interests of
minorities and backward and depressed classes.
9. The independence of the judiciary shall be fully secured.
10. The integrity of the territories of the federation, its independence, and all its rights,
including its sovereign rights on land, sea, and air shall be safeguarded.
11. The people of Pakistan may prosper and attain their rightful and honored place
among the nations of the world and make their full contribution towards
international peace and progress and the happiness of humanity.
Purportedly combining the features of both Western and Islamic democracy, it is
considered one of the most important documents in the constitutional history of PakistanIt
was strongly supported by Maulana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani, Dr. Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi,
Dr. Omar Hayat Malik, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Noor Ahmad, Begum Shaista Suhrawardy
Ikramullah, Muhammad Hussain and others. At the time it was passed, Liaquat Ali Khan
called it "the most important occasion in the life of this country, next in importance only to
the achievement of independence". However, not everyone in Pakistan had such as high
praise and unbounded admiration for it.
Criticism by Non-Muslims
All non-Muslim members opposed and voted against the resolution.
Birat Chandra Mandal argued that Muhammad Ali Jinnah had promised a secular state, not a
religious one.
Sris Chandra Chattopadhyaya said:
o The state should be neutral in religion.
o No religion should be favored or given special status.
o Religion in state a airs creates division between majority and minority.
o The idea of “equal rights under Islam” was seen as misleading for minorities.
They feared:
o Inequality for minorities
o Misuse of religion in politics
o Pressure on minorities to please the majority instead of having equal rights
Criticism by Muslims
Ayaz Amir:
o Called it just rhetoric (words without real benefit).
Abul A'la Maududi:
o Supported the idea but was disappointed because it had no practical results.
o Compared it to rain without clouds or growth (useless outcome).
Intellectual Criticism
Rubina Saigal highlighted:
The resolution introduced religion into the constitution.
o Pakistan became the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
o Created conflict in laws, especially in the Constitution of Pakistan 1973:
Article 25 → All citizens are equal
Article 2 → Islam is the state religion
o This creates a contradiction:
If Islam is the state religion → non-Muslims cannot be fully equal
Also criticized:
o Non-Muslims cannot become head of state
o This weakens democracy and equal citizenship
Overall Issues
Conflict between:
o Religious state vs democratic equality
Raised concerns about:
o Minority rights
o Equality before law
o
o Role of religion in politics
o